ICC Test Rankings 2026: Mitchell Starc Takes No. 1 Spot, Harry Brook Leads Batters
The latest ICC Test Rankings 2026 has caused a great stir in international cricket. Australia’s fastest bowler Mitchell Starc has jumped to the number one spot in Test rankings after posting a career-best performance in the recent match against Bangladesh. The talented England batter Harry Brook has retained his position at the top of the Test batting rankings for the second time this year after he reclaimed the number one spot last month.
Therefore, the newest rankings are definitely a big draw for the cricket fans excited about the fierce competition between the best Test players in the world including the rising stars from Australia, England, India, Pakistan, and other cricket-playing countries.
Mitchell Starc Becomes No. 1 Test Bowler
Mitchell Starc has climbed to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings for the first time in his career. The left-arm pacer displaced fellow campaigner Jasprit Bumrah by securing a fifer against Bangladesh in Mackay on Thursday. Starc also played a major role in Australia’s victory in the second match of the World Test Championship series against Bangladesh.
The campaigner has enjoyed an outstanding series so far as he bagged 10 wickets against the chasing team to help the Kangaroos register a win. In addition, the pacer saw off Bumrah’s reign atop the rankings chart. It was a much-needed result for Australia, which is currently at the third spot in the WTC standings.
Harry Brook Leads Test Batters
England’s Harry Brook has topped the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings at number one. Brook was able to reclaim the first position on August 19 as Travis Head slipped down the rankings after a poor first Test against Bangladesh. The new number one on the batting chart overtakes Joe Root and Steve Smith as well, following the update. It is the fourth time that Brook has been the number one Test batsman in the world, and it marks the rising star’s continued rise in the game.
Top Test Batters in the Latest Rankings
The latest rankings place several established international stars near the top of the batting chart.
| Rank | Player | Team |
| 1 | Harry Brook | England |
| 2 | Joe Root | England |
| 3 | Steve Smith | Australia |
| 4 | Travis Head | Australia |
| 5 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | India |
| 6 | Kamindu Mendis | Sri Lanka |
| 7 | Kane Williamson | New Zealand |
| 8 | Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand |
| 9 | Babar Azam | Pakistan |
| 10 | Ben Duckett | England |
Harry Brook’s return to the top has created another interesting battle between England and Australia’s leading Test batters.
Top Test Bowlers
Mitchell Starc’s move to No. 1 is the biggest headline in the latest bowling rankings.
| Rank | Player | Team |
| 1 | Mitchell Starc | Australia |
| 2 | Jasprit Bumrah | India |
| 3 | Pat Cummins | Australia |
| 4 | Kagiso Rabada | South Africa |
| 5 | Ravindra Jadeja | India |
| 6 | Nathan Lyon | Australia |
| 7 | Josh Hazlewood | Australia |
| 8 | Prabath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka |
| 9 | Mohammed Siraj | India |
| 10 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Pakistan |
Starc’s 10-wicket performance against Bangladesh played a major role in his rise to the top. Bumrah has now moved from No. 1 to second place.
Pakistan Players Make Ranking Gains
Pakistan is also improving in terms of Test rankings during the month of August. Babar Azam regained the top ten Test rankings for the world’s best batters this month after Pakistan’s convincing win against the West Indies. The International Cricket Council (ICC) batter moved up the rankings for the first time in a decade following Pakistan’s eight-wicket win in the Port of Spain.
Abdullah Shafique delivered a memorable knock for Pakistan’s Caribbean tour as he became the first Pakistan batter to score more than 150 since Majid Khan in 1977. Shafique remained not out on 160 as Pakistan chased down the target in the third Test match against West Indies. The stellar performance of Pakistan’s batting lineup has propelled them up the rankings charts.
Why Mitchell Starc’s Ranking Matters
Starc’s rise to number one is a big deal because he has been at the top of the world fast-bowling rankings as one of the best for a considerable amount of the time, but he has never been first for the top Test bowler before. The bowler’s 10-wicket show against Bangladesh is the reason why he shot up and broke into the number one spot. It also shows how quickly the ICC rankings change after a huge Test match. The fact that Australia has a number one fast bowler is a good thing for them as they continue their World Test Championship campaign.
Why Harry Brook’s No. 1 Position Is Important
Harry Brook’s return to the number one shows how tightly packed the Test batting rankings are. Brook was the top batter for the first time in December 2024, and he has since been swapped with the other aces. His recent return to the top spot came after he scored big to overtake Travis Head. Joe Root and Steve Smith are right there, so it is only a matter of time before the next Test match sees the next change.
ICC Test Rankings 2026 Continue to Change
The latest update in the rankings is a testament to the fact that single performances can change the overall scenario of international cricket in a matter of days. Starc’s 10-wicket haul saw him climb to the top of the bowling rankings, with Brook back on top in the batting charts. Pakistan’s Babar Azam and others feature in the latest list as well, courtesy of their recent exploits. here happened to be many changes in rankings after the first two groups matches of the World Test Championship 2023, and that’s just the beginning of the longest tournament that will finish in the next year.
Final Thoughts
According to the latest ICC Test Rankings 2026, Mitchell Starc is the number one rated Test Bowler while Harry Brook is the top Test Batsman. The latter got the first position after an astonishing century against the Bangladesh team whereas Starc got the first spot after achieving a brilliant ten-wicket haul in the same match.Brook retained the number one position after posting a brilliant century against New Zealand in his comeback series.
Meanwhile, Pakistan also delivered with regards to rankings as Pakistan’s Babar Azam returned to the top ten list while Abdullah Shafique created history by posting a record-breaking innings in the Caribbean. The World Test Championship is in full flow and there are further chances that the rankings will change dramatically.
FAQs
Who is the No. 1 Test bowler in 2026?
Mitchell Starc is currently the No. 1 ranked Test bowler after his 10-wicket performance against Bangladesh.
Who is the No. 1 Test batter in 2026?
Harry Brook currently holds the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings.
Why did Mitchell Starc become No. 1?
Starc moved to the top after taking 10 wickets in Australia’s Test against Bangladesh in Mackay.
Where is Jasprit Bumrah ranked?
Jasprit Bumrah has moved from No. 1 to No. 2 in the latest Test bowling rankings following Starc’s rise.
Is Babar Azam back in the top 10?
Yes. Babar Azam returned to the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings in August 2026 after Pakistan’s strong performances against the West Indies.
Can the ICC Test Rankings change again?
Yes. ICC player rankings can change with performances in international matches, so we look forward to seeing if more Test matches will take place at the top.