Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Joe Root moves into 2nd spot in ICC Test batting rankings | England captain Joe Root moves up to 2nd place in Test batting rankings

England captain Joe Root has overtaken Australian duo Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to move into second spot in the ICC batting rankings. Only New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is ahead of Root, and given the magnificent form the England skipper is in, one feels he may top the rankings soon.

Root has been outstanding in 2021. He has amassed 1,277 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 67.21, including an unbelievable five centuries out of six 50+ scores. His latest was a masterful 180* at Lord’s, which wasn’t quite enough to lead England to victory as India produced a near-perfect fifth day to seal the Test.

Joe Root up to 2nd in the ICC Test batting rankings

Root has risen two places to second in the batting rankings. Two Tests ago, Root was in fifth place, but two glorious centuries has catapulted him ahead of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Virat Kohli.

Incredibly, Root has scored more runs in this series to date (386) than England’s second-highest run-scorer in 2021 (Rory Burns with 363). If he continues his form, he will move to top spot in the rankings for the first time since August 2015 after helping England regain the Ashes. Given he is only eight points behind Kane Williamson, first place seems an inevitability.

Also, Root will be hoping to continue his form to help England get back into the series against India. Given the fragility of the England lineup and sheer reliance on the England captain, one feels that more big scores are a necessity if the home side is to have any hope of winning the series.

As he aims to continue his fine batting form, Root will also look to make up for a poor fifth day as captain. He and England let things slip badly on a “bizarre”, “poor” and “horrible” fifth morning of Test cricket, characterised by questionable tactics against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.