Root has been in form with the bat in recent times. He has already scored four centuries this year. Root recently became England’s second batter to complete 10,000 test runs.

Root scored 11, unbeaten 115, 176, and 3 respectively in the four innings of the first two Tests of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. That is, this right-handed batter took the top spot in the rankings in recent performances.

But Labuschagne’s difference in rating points with root dropping to a second place is not much. Labuschagne has a rating of 892. Labuschagne had climbed to the top of the rankings with two innings of 103 and 51 in the two innings of the Test against England in Adelaide in December last year.

Australia’s Steven Smith is third with a rating of 845. Pakistan captain Babar Azam is fourth while New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is fifth.