Following a masterful 176 in the first innings of the second Test against New Zealand, Joe Root has once again reclaimed the top position in the ICC Test Rankings. Root was in the first place in December 2021 before being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne after a disappointing end to the 2021/22 Ashes. This century was Root’s second in a couple of matches and tenth since the start of 2021. Root wasn’t the only English player who moved up in the ICC rankings following their win against New Zealand. The match-winner of the second Test, Jonny Bairstow, moved up 13 to 39th, while England captain Ben Stokes moved from the 27th to the 22nd. Ollie Pope, who scored an excellent 145 in the second Test, also moved up by 22 places to 53rd. After only his second game, bowler Matthew Potts moved up to 59th in the test bowler rankings.