Root is world No 1

JOE ROOT has returned to the top of the world batting rankings after making his 27th Test century at Trent Bridge to follow passing 10,000 runs at Lord’s. Root has leapfrogged Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne in the ICC’s latest ratings. Root was last at the top in late 2021 before Labuschagne replaced him. Fellow Aussie Steve Smith is third, with Babar Azam of Pakistan and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson making up the top five.