July 10 (CRICKETNMORE) - Joe Root, who celebrated his first Test as England captain by stroking 190 in the first innings and then inspiring his side to victory, has another reason to smile as he has jumped ahead of his New Zealand opposite number Kane Williamson in second place.
Root had entered the Lord’s Test trailing Williamson by 32 points, but now leads the New Zealander by eight points. Number-one ranked Steve Smith will be Root’s next target as the Australian captain is sitting on 941 points - 53 points ahead of the Englishman. If Root can continue performing like at Lord’s, he can potentially go top of the table.
Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, former captain Alistair Cook and one-down batsman Gary Ballance are the other England batsman to have gained in the latest rankings, while Temba Bavuma and Vernon Philander are the two South Africa batsmen to head in the right direction.
Bairstow is now 10th after rising one place, Cook has moved up two places to claim 11th position and Ballance is 59th after earning three places, while Bavuma is 41st (up by four places) and Philander is 66th (up by eight places).
Top 10 Test Player Rankings (as on 10 July, after Lord’s Test)
Top 10 Test Player Rankings (as on 10 July, after Lord’s Test)
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points
1 ( - ) Steve Smith Aus 941!
2 (+1) Joe Root Eng 888
3 (-1) K. Williamson NZ 880
4 ( - ) C. Pujara Ind 846
5 ( - ) Virat Kohli Ind 818
6 ( - ) Q de Kock SA 791
7 ( - ) Azhar Ali Pak 769
8 ( - ) David Warner Aus 759
9 (+1) Lokesh Rahul Ind 739
10 (+1) Jonny Bairstow Eng 728
Media Release by ICC