Joe Root loses No 1 status but Steve Smith does not replace him

Joe Root loses his status as No 1 Test batter in the world as ICC releases its latest rankings… but England star is NOT replaced by Ashes rival Steve Smith

  • Joe Root has been replaced at No 1 in the ICC Test batter rankings 
  • The England star had a Test to forget at Lord’s, scoring low figures 
  • However, Ashes rival Steve Smith has not taken No 1 spot from Root 

Joe Root’s reign at the top of the ICC Test batting rankings has ended after just 14 days, with the England star replaced by a surprise name. 

Root made 10 and 18 runs in England’s second Test defeat to Australia in the Ashes, having stormed to the top of the rankings with his imperious knock of 118* at Edgbaston two weeks ago.

Ashes rival Steve Smith scored yet another Lord’s century, however, hitting 110 to help Pat Cummins’ side take a commanding 2-0 series lead to Headingley. 

However, Smith has not replaced Root as the No 1 batter in the world, with the ICC placing the Australian at No 2, while the Englishman is down at No 5.

Instead, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has taken top spot, despite not playing a Test match since March. 

Joe Root has been replaced at the top of the ICC Test rankings after the Lord’s Test

Steve Smith played well in the second Test but has not taken top spot from Root

Kane Williamson is the No 1 batter in the world despite not playing since March

The Kiwi captain scored 215 runs against Sri Lanka three months ago and they have no Tests scheduled until after the Cricket World Cup.

Elsewhere, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head retain their positions of No 3 and No 4 respectively, while Usman Khawaja remains No 7 in the world.   

Ben Stokes, who scored a courageous 155 at Lord’s, has moved up nine places to No 23 in the world, while Ben Duckett (No 18) joins Harry Brook (No 13) in the top 20. 

Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins has climbed two places in the bowling rankings to No 2, where he remains behind India star Ravichandran Ashwin.

James Anderson, who endured a torrid Test at Lord’s, has dropped from No 2 to No 4 and has been sidelined for the third Test at Headingley.   

Ollie Robinson remains at No 5 while Nathan Lyon, who succumbed to a gruelling calf injury during the second Test, has dropped one place to No 7. 

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