Matt Henry achieves first career ICC No. 1 ranking; Joe Root tops the list of batsmen

The result of the second Test between England and New Zealand at the Oval was a more than series-even. It also reshaped the top of the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, with two experienced campaigners becoming the No. 1 Test bowler and batsman.

While Matt Henry produced one of the finest bowling performances of his career to lead New Zealand to victory, Joe Root’s consistency with the bat was enough to see him climb back to the pinnacle of the Test batting rankings. The latest rankings update caps a memorable week for both players and reflects their impact during an exciting ICC World Test Championship contest in London.

Matt Henry becomes number 1 bowler in ICC Test rankings, Joe Root becomes number 1 Test batsman

Matt Henry has achieved the first feat of his career by becoming the joint number 1 ranked bowler in Test cricket. The New Zealand fast bowler is now tied with India’s Jasprit Bumrah at the top spot after his match-winning performance against England at The Oval.

Matt Henry took 11 wickets in the Test, giving figures of 5/80 in the first innings and 6/29 in the second. His performance helped him reach 870 rating points and become the third New Zealand bowler after Jack Cowie and Sir Richard Hadlee to occupy the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings.

The achievement is particularly significant as New Zealand have not had a No. 1 ranked Test bowler since Hadlee held the position in 1990. Henry’s current rating is also one of the highest achieved by any New Zealand cricketer, with only Hadlee and Kane Williamson recording better ratings in ICC rankings history.

There was also a shake-up among the batsmen, with England veteran Joe Root returning to the No. 1 spot. Root’s scores of 46 and 77 against New Zealand helped him overtake teammate Harry Brook and Australia’s Travis Head.

This is the 12th time that Root has topped the Test batting rankings during his illustrious career. The England star and Brook have swapped the No. 1 spot several times over the last 18 months, highlighting the consistency shown by both batsmen in the longest format.

New Zealand’s win also helped many of their batsmen make significant gains. Rachin Ravindra moved up to 10th, Daryl Mitchell moved up to 16th, Glenn Phillips moved up to 31st, while Henry Nicholls moved up to 40th after his century at The Oval.

New Zealand gave a crushing defeat to England in the second test

New Zealand leveled the three-match series 1-1 after registering a stunning 253-run win over England at the Oval.

After being asked to bat first, the visiting team scored 391 runs in their first innings. Glenn Phillips scored a brilliant century, scoring 100 runs, while Tom Blundell contributed 51 and Daryl Mitchell contributed 44 runs. Despite Joe Root’s 46 and Matthew Fisher’s fighting half-century, England responded by scoring 291 runs. Henry led the attack with the ball, claiming 5/80.

After this the Black Caps strengthened their hold on the match in the second innings. Henry Nicholls scored a brilliant 121, Rachin Ravindra scored 76 and Daryl Mitchell scored 68 and New Zealand declared the innings after scoring 362 runs.

England never looked comfortable while chasing a tough target of 463 runs. Root scored 77 runs and Harry Brook fought hard for 58 runs, but Matt Henry bowled a devastating spell of fast bowling. Right-arm fast bowler Matt Henry dismantled England’s batting line-up with figures of 6/29 as the hosts were bowled out for 209.

Matt Henry took 11 wickets in the match and was named player of the match. His efforts not only leveled the series for New Zealand but also took him to the pinnacle of the ICC Test bowling rankings.

ICC men’s test batting and bowling rankings