Joe Root consolidates his lead as top Test batter in latest ICC rankings

Star England batter Joe Root has thickened his position as the top Test batter in the latest ICC rankings update. The English cricketer's exceptional performance has not only widened the gap between him and his closest competitors but has also brought him to the brink of surpassing his own personal best.

Root's recent exploits have been nothing short of extraordinary. With back-to-back centuries in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, the 33-year-old has scored an impressive 922 rating points. This puts him a substantial 63 points ahead of New Zealand's Kane Williamson, who currently sits at the second spot in the Test batting rankings.

What makes Joe Root's achievement even more remarkable is that he is close to beating his personal best. Just one point away from the 923 rating he achieved in July 2022 after a century against India at Edgbaston. Only three English batters, Len Hutton, Jack Hobbs, and Peter May have ever achieved higher career ratings in Test cricket.

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Besides, England's Gus Atkinson made significant strides in multiple disciplines after his Player of the Match performance at Lord's, which included both a century and a five-wicket haul, a feat achieved by only three players in Men's Test history at the venue.

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The Sri Lankan team, despite facing defeat, saw positive movements in their players' rankings. Kamindu Mendis climbed 11 spots to 25th place following his half-centuries, while Asitha Fernando's eight-wicket haul propelled him into the top ten bowlers for the first time.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's impressive series win against Pakistan resulted in several of their players making significant gains in the rankings. Litton Das and Mehedy Hasan Miraz were particularly notable, with both making substantial jumps in their respective disciplines.