Much as strikers in football like to talk about three points being the thing that really matters and their main concern being to help their side win, attacking players love to score goals. We rather suspect that at least some would secretly rather net a hat-trick and draw than miss three sitters but win. Perhaps we’re cynical but there is always going to be a certain selfishness and desire to do well individually.
Moreover, in any sport, be it a team one, or an individual one like golf, being the best player in the world is something all top stars dream of. It is almost always a secondary wish, with the glory of winning a major in golf, a Grand Slam in tennis or a big trophy in football tending to trump being ranked number one in the world. But even so, it can be a source of great pride for any athlete to be able to say they are, or were, the best in the world.
When it comes to cricket, luckily there are various number ones for a player to aspire to. There are rankings for all versions of the game T20, One Day Internationals and Test), with lists for teams, as well as batters, bowlers and all-rounders. Cricket is often said to be a team sport played by individuals and this is especially the case when it comes to batting. As such, becoming the top-ranked batsman in the world is certainly an accolade that any ambitious player would love to have on their CV.
When it comes to the oldest format, Test Cricket, England have had several players reach the top of the ICC rankings. In fact, earlier in December, one Englishman replaced another, so let’s take a look at some of the greats who have topped the ICC Test batter rankings over the years.
One Yorkshireman Replaces Another
On the 10th of December 2024, the International Cricket Council published their new rankings. Following his magnificent performances against New Zealand, Englishman Harry Brook moved to the top of the table, replacing fellow Yorkshireman Joe Root. That meant that Yorkshire, a place full of people who take pride in their county – and aren’t shy about letting others know – boasted the best two batsmen in the world.
Brook has made a wonderful start to his career as a Test batsman and set many records as he has raced past 2,000 runs in the format. He may have “celebrated” his promotion to number one in the world by being dismissed for a golden duck in the third Test of the series against the Kiwis but there is little doubt he is a generational talent.
Brilliant in all formats, Brook is very aggressive and hits the ball to all areas of the pitch. Despite following that first-ball duck up with just a run in the second innings, he still averages almost 60 and boasts an incredible overseas average of 80. His strike rate is not far shy of 90 and he already boasts eight 100s and 10 50s from just 40 innings. He is surely a future captain of England and could surpass the accomplishments of the man he replaced as number one.
Root: England’s Greatest?
Brook’s highest rating thus far is 898 but Joe Root achieved an incredible score of 932, the 17th-best ever recorded. Most would agree that Sheffield native Root is the greatest England batsman of the modern era. Over the past four years he has been especially strong, surging past the other members of the “big four” in terms of total centuries and runs.
Root holds so many records, and following his half century in the third Test against NZ became the highest runscorer against the Kiwis. That is a minor record though, compared to his many “England bests”. The Yorkshire ace also sits fifth on the all-time list of top scorers in Tests (and should move second behind just Sachin Tendulkar next year), and fifth in terms of hundreds. With many years still ahead of him, and his hunger seemingly undimmed, he should move higher still on many of these lists, and possibly all the way to the top of them all.
More Glory for the Yorkies
There must be something in the air or water (or both) in Yorkshire because the White Rose county has produced several number-one-ranked batters over the years. Perhaps the greatest of the lot is Sir Len Hutton, who averaged over 56 in Tests and for a long time held the highest score in the format (364 against Australia). Hutton’s mark of 945 in the ICC rankings is bettered by only two men and he topped the chart for several years.
Herbert Sutcliffe is another of Yorkshire’s best to have been ranked world number one. Sutcliffe, who played Tests for England between 1924 and 1935, averaged over 60, hitting 4,555 runs in the 54 matches he played. Renowned for his style on and off the pitch, he spent much of the middle part of his Test career as world number one.
Jack Hobbs: The Master a Great Partner for Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe was an opening batsman and he formed an incredible partnership with Jack Hobbs, nicknamed The Master. Hobbs attained an ICC ranking of 942 in the early part of his career against Australia, which is the joint-fourth highest of all time. Hobbs had a lengthy Test career interrupted by the First World War, making his debut in 1908 and playing his last game in 1930.
He averaged almost 57 and scored over 5,000 runs, and his opening partnership with Sutcliffe ranks as one of the finest the game has ever seen. The two opened on 38 occasions, sharing 15 partnerships of 100 or more, incredible stuff.
England’s Other Top Guns
England’s other top-ranked batters include:
- Peter May – May was rated at 941 in 1956 after a fine series against Australia.
- Denis Compton – Compton was from a fine sporting family and not only played 78 Tests (averaging over 50) but also won the top-flight title and an FA Cup with Arsenal! That’s just greedy!
- Ken Barrington – Born in 1930, Barrington scored almost 7,000 Test runs at 58.67 and spent most of his career inside the world’s top 10 batters.
- Graham Gooch – A magnificent presence in a poor England team, Gooch was ranked number one in 1992 and 1993.