Joe Root replaces Marnus Labuschagne as World No.1 Test batter as Ashes opener brings drastic changes in latest rankings 

Joe Root (Source: Twitter)

Joe Root's unbeaten century in the first innings of the 1st Ashes Test 2023 went in vain as England lost by two wickets at Edgbaston. Still, it has rewarded him by propelling him to the top of the current Men's Test batting rankings, released on Wednesday. The former England captain has replaced Australia's Marnus Labuschagne as the World No.1 Test batter.

Labuschagne held the top since December 2022, but Root has been on a mission to dethrone him with his recent outstanding knocks in red-ball cricket. Root climbed five places with scores of 118* in the first innings and 46 in the second innings, while Labuschagne dropped to third after a not-so-impressive performance in the first Ashes Test.

The most recent ranking witnessed some significant changes, with more impacting Australians. Following Australia's victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India on 11 June, their middle-order batters Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head placed first, second, and third in the Test rankings.

Smith and Head could not produce impactful knocks against England, lowering them to sixth and fourth place, respectively. Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson who is currently out of action due to an injury, has jumped two places to take second position. Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam occupies the fifth spot.

Usman Khawaja achieves a career-best ranking

Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja had a dismal outing in the WTC final but bagged the Player of the Match award with a century-and-a-half-century in the Ashes opener. He was also awarded a career-best ranking of seventh. While Rishabh Pant is the only Indian in the top 10, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is ranked 12th, and Virat Kohli takes the 14th spot.

There were no significant alterations in the bowling rankings, with Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin at the top, followed by experienced England pacer James Anderson, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, and Australian captain Pat Cummins. Moeen Ali, who played his first Test after two years against Australia, is back in the rankings at 52nd.