Joe Root moves to top of Test batting rankings after first Ashes Test, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne drops to third

Published 21/06/2023 at 13:17 GMT

England's Joe Root is now ranked as the No. 1 batsman in the world after making scores of 118* and 46 in the first Ashes Test against Australia at Egbaston. Australia, who won the thrilling match by two wickets, have four batsmen in the top 10, while Harry Brook is England's next highest behind Root at No. 13. England's Ollie Robinson has moved up to fifth in the bowling rankings.

Joe Root

Image credit: Getty Images

Joe Root has moved to the top of the Test batting rankings after his fine display for England in the first Ashes Test at Egbaston.

Root looked in sparkling form as he made an unbeaten 118 in the first innings and then 46 in the second innings.

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, who had been top of the rankings for the last six months, dropped down to third position after scores of zero and 13 in the match.

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Australia won the first Test in dramatic fashion as captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon saw them home with two wickets left.

Usman Khawaja was named player of the match after scores of 141 and 65, and he moves up to No. 7 in the batting rankings.

Australians Travis Head and Steve Smith fell to fourth and sixth respectively.

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson is the new No. 2 in the rankings.

The highest-ranked English batsman after Root is Harry Brook at No. 13.

In the bowling rankings, England’s Ollie Robinson is up to No. 5 after taking five wickets in the opening Ashes Test.

James Anderson remains at No. 2 despite taking just one wicket, while Stuart Broad is at No. 9.

Cummins falls to fourth despite taking four wickets in the second innings, while Lyon is up to No. 6 after taking eight wickets.

India’s Ravichandran Ashwin tops the rankings and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada is at No. 3.

The second Ashes Test starts at Lord’s on June 28.

England captain Ben Stokes said his side were in “absolute pieces" following the loss at Egbaston.

"Losing sucks. We always want to win,” he reflected.

“We are absolutely devastated that we have lost.

"The lads are up there in absolute pieces, especially Robbo and Broady [bowlers Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad] who put in an unbelievable shift there.

"But if that's not attracting people to the game we love then I don't know what will.

"There are still four games left. Keep following us and we will keep trying to do what we do."

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