ICC Test Rankings: Harry Brook Reclaims Top Batting Spot as Jasprit Bumrah Retains Bowling Lead

August 20, 2026

England batter Harry Brook has returned to the top of the ICC Men’s Test batting rankings, unseating Australia’s Travis Head following the Darwin Test. Meanwhile, India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has held onto his position at the summit of the ICC Men’s Test bowling rankings despite sitting out his team’s tour of Sri Lanka.

What Happened

The latest update to the ICC Men’s Test rankings brought notable shifts following Bangladesh’s nine-wicket win over Australia in the first Test at Darwin. Travis Head dropped four spots to fourth after compiling scores of 22 and 17. His decline paved the way for Harry Brook to claim the No. 1 ranking for the fourth time in his career, having previously led the standings in December 2024.

Brook holds a 12-point advantage over second-placed Joe Root, while Australia’s Steve Smith rose to third following contributions of 71 and 44 in Darwin. The entire top four—Brook, Root, Smith, and Head—is separated by 33 rating points.

In the bowling rankings, Jasprit Bumrah retained the No. 1 spot. Although Bumrah was withdrawn from India’s full tour of Sri Lanka prior to its start, his existing tally of accumulated rating points was sufficient to keep him atop the chart.

Key Highlights

Batting Leadership Shift: Harry Brook replaced Travis Head as the No. 1 Test batter, securing a 12-point lead over Joe Root.
Bumrah Retains Top Rank: Jasprit Bumrah maintained the No. 1 spot in the Test bowling rankings despite missing the Sri Lanka tour.
Bangladesh Player Gains: Following their win in Darwin, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto climbed nine spots to a career-best 20th after scoring 84, surpassing Ravindra Jadeja and Liton Das.
Bowling Movement: Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud rose 26 places to 38th after claiming nine wickets in the match, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz advanced three spots to 24th after taking five second-innings wickets.
Close Margins: Just 33 rating points separate the top four Test batters.

Why This Matters

Bangladesh’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia reshuffled several key positions across both tables. The narrow 33-point margin between the top four batters means the leadership position remains highly volatile. Additionally, Bumrah’s retention of the top bowling rank demonstrates the strength of his existing points buffer, even during periods of absence from international fixtures.

What to Watch Next

The rankings could shift again soon with two upcoming Test series: England facing Pakistan, and Australia meeting Bangladesh in the second match of their two-Test series. Strong performances in these fixtures could alter the top of the batting table. For Bumrah, remaining inactive during the Sri Lanka series means he cannot add to his points tally, giving rival bowlers an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the bowling rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is currently the No. 1 ranked Test batter?

Harry Brook sits at No. 1 in the ICC Men’s Test batting rankings, holding a 12-point lead over second-placed Joe Root.

How did Travis Head lose the top spot?

Head dropped from first to fourth place after scoring 22 and 17 during Australia’s nine-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in Darwin.

Why did Jasprit Bumrah retain the No. 1 bowling rank despite not playing?

Although Bumrah was withdrawn from India’s tour of Sri Lanka, his existing accumulated points total remained high enough to keep him ahead of all other bowlers.

Which players made the biggest jumps after the Darwin Test?

Hasan Mahmud climbed 26 places to 38th in the bowling rankings after taking nine wickets, while Najmul Hossain Shanto rose nine places to 20th in the batting rankings after scoring 84.

Source: Crictracker