Brook's Meteoric Rise: England Finds a New Star
The world of Test cricket just got a shakeup—Harry Brook has climbed to the top of the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings, nudging aside Joe Root, who seemed unmovable just a few months ago. This wasn’t a fluke or a one-off. Brook’s red-hot form during the December 2024 series against New Zealand set the cricketing world abuzz. He smashed 123 in one innings and followed up with a solid 55, all after opening the series in Wellington with a knockout 171. That sort of firepower is hard to ignore.
Brook now stands at 898 rating points. Here’s the kicker: he just edged out Root, whose own tally sits at 897. One single point between them. But that’s enough to secure Brook’s first-ever appearance at the summit. For a player still in his mid-20s and having logged just 23 Tests, Brook’s numbers look more like those of a seasoned legend—2,280 runs at an average north of 61 and eight Test centuries already in the bag.
The magnitude of this feat is tough to understate. Matching Sachin Tendulkar’s peak career ICC rating? Brook now finds himself bracketed with icons, not just statistical milestones. The England dressing room isn’t short on drama—Root himself has been nothing but gracious, calling Brook the “best player in the world at the minute.” Such praise, coming from one of the modern era’s most prolific batsmen, adds another layer to Brook’s achievement.
Bumrah, Jadeja Hold Their Ground; England Surges Ahead
While Brook’s story has stolen the spotlight, there’s just as much going on at the other end—in the bowling and all-rounder departments. Jasprit Bumrah keeps his tight grip on the top bowler spot. Anyone who’s watched him tear through batting line-ups knows he’s not fading anytime soon. Ravindra Jadeja, with his mix of spinning excellence and lower-order resilience, continues to rule the all-rounder rankings as well.
England doesn’t just have Brook to thank for this latest surge; Root isn’t far behind, and the duo’s consistency at the top order is turning the team’s fortunes around. Over several seasons, English fans have gotten used to moments of brilliance fizzling out. Now, with Brook and Root forming a rock-solid partnership, there’s a sense of real momentum. Each is pushing the other to new heights—and now the rankings prove it.
This kind of rivalry, even among teammates, is healthy for the sport. It gives fans something to talk about, and it keeps players on their toes. The numbers back it up: Brook’s 61+ batting average stacks up against names like Steve Smith and Virat Kohli at their peaks. A chart-topper in your early twenties? That’s not just about runs—it’s about boldness, consistency, and rising to the big moments.