Matt Henry reached the top with Bumrah. (Photo- PTI)
Matt Henry joins Jasprit Bumrah as No.1 Test bowler: An interesting and historic change has been seen in the latest Test rankings released by the International Cricket Council. The world has got a new number-1 bowler in Test cricket, but despite this, the number-1 crown has not been snatched from the head of Indian star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. In this big update of ICC, the Test format has got two new ‘Sultans’. At the same time, Joe Root has regained his crown in the ranking of batsmen.
Matt Henry reached the top with Bumrah
New Zealand’s fast bowler Matt Henry, who took 11 wickets with his killer bowling in the second Test match played against England at The Oval ground in London, has received a bumper reward for his historic performance. 34-year-old Matt Henry has taken a huge leap and reached the first position in the ICC Test bowling rankings. Interestingly, Henry did not push Jasprit Bumrah down from the number-1 spot, rather he has become the joint number-1 Test bowler with Bumrah.
At present, both Bumrah and Matt Henry have equal 870 rating points, due to which both the bowlers are simultaneously ruling the Test rankings. Bumrah, who achieved the number-1 position by defeating Kagiso Rabada in November 2024, will now share this position with Henry. At the same time, Matt Henry becoming the number-1 Test bowler is a historic moment in the history of New Zealand cricket. He has become only the third bowler from New Zealand to reach the top position in the history of Test cricket. Before Henry, Jack Cowie (1947) and the great Richard Hadlee (1984-1990) had achieved this position for the Kiwi team. In this way, Matt Henry has ended the 36 year old drought for New Zealand in the bowlers category.
Root regained his reign in batting
In the latest ICC rankings, there has been a big upheaval not only in the bowling but also in the rankings of the batsmen. England’s experienced and legendary batsman Joe Root has once again regained his lost crown of world number-1 Test batsman. Root has re-established his dominance on the basis of his brilliant batting against New Zealand in the Oval Test. He has achieved this position leaving behind Harry Brook and Travis Head.
