DUBAI: New Zealand fast bowler on Wednesday became only the third bowler from his country to top the ICC Test bowling rankings, ending a 36-year wait.
The 34-year-old joined India’s Jasprit Bumrah at the top of the rankings following his 11-wicket haul in the second Test against England.
With this achievement, Henry joined an elusive list of BlackCap fast bowlers, including Jack Cowie (1947) and Richard Hadlee (1984-1990), to hold the No.1 Test bowling ranking. His rise ended a 36-year drought for the Kiwis in this category.
Bumrah has held the top position since replacing South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada in November 2024.
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Notably, Henry’s current rating of 870 has only been exceeded by two New Zealand players: Hadlee, who reached 909 in 1985, and former captain Kane Williamson, who achieved 919 rating points in Test batting in 2021.
In batting, Joe Root retook the No.1 position after Harry Brook briefly replaced him.
Root scored 46 and 77 in the match, despite England suffering a 253-run defeat in London. His performances were enough to move him up two places, overtaking teammate Harry Brook and Australia’s Travis Head to reclaim the top spot for the 12th time in his career.
Recently, both Root and Brook have reached the top of the batting rankings, with the duo swapping the No.1 spot six times over the past 18 months since the former overtook Kane Williamson.
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