England captain Joe Root is the new No 1 Test batsman in the world after returning to top spot in the International Cricket Council rankings for the first time in six years. Root previously held the No 1 spot back in 2015 but had drifted to ninth at the start of 2021. Since then he has been in masterful form, scoring 1,398 runs in 11 matches at a lofty average of 69.90. After just one half-century in seven innings since arriving in England, he has been usurped by opener Rohit Sharma at No 5. England seamer James Anderson has climbed up to No 5 in the ICC's bowling rankingsMeanwhile, England have confirmed that Moeen Ali will serve as Root's vice-captain.

Source: Daily Mail September 01, 2021 09:23 UTC