"The best ever from England" - Fans hail Joe Root for becoming new No. 1 ranked ICC Test batter
England's star batter Joe Root has toppled Marnus Labuschagne to become the new No. 1 ranked Test batter in the world as per ICC's latest Test rankings. Although England lost the first Test, Root had a brilliant individual performance as his scores of 118* and 46 helped the hosts fight till the end at Edgbaston.
It seemed like the burden of captaincy was holding back Root a little as he has seemed to be a completely different player under Ben Stokes. He has played his shots freely and has got that license due to the Bazball ideology.
Fans on Twitter were thrilled to see Joe Root regain the No. 1 spot in the Test rankings. Here are some of the reactions:
Is Back Where he's Belong To! twitter.com/mufaddal_vohraโฆ
The GOAT ๐ Is Back Where he's Belong To! twitter.com/mufaddal_vohraโฆ
Truly the best Test batter currently, imo
He is just 32, Should end up with 16-17k Test runs twitter.com/CricCrazyJohnsโฆ
twitter.com/CricCrazyJohnsโฆ
yesssssss Roootttt ๐ฌ๐ง๐ฅ twitter.com/CricCrazyJohnsโฆ
Regaining his throne as the numero uno, he eclipses Marnus Labuschagne's challenge. A true masterclass in the longest format resumes. The artistry of Root continues to mesmerize! #ENGvAUS
The crown of the Test batting realm rests comfortably on Joe Root's head once more! ๐ Regaining his throne as the numero uno, he eclipses Marnus Labuschagne's challenge. A true masterclass in the longest format resumes. The artistry of Root continues to mesmerize! #ENGvAUS https://t.co/EgN7aWhYmk
Joe Root - A Modern Day Great. https://t.co/eYVzGznoIS
@root66 #JoeRoot #ashes
#๏ธโฃ1๏ธโฃ
Nothing we didnโt know already ๐คทโโ๏ธ ๐ @root66 #JoeRoot #ashes https://t.co/A0F41yn6sZ
Joe Root in Test cricket:
- Number 1 ranked batter.
- Number 8 ranked all-rounder.
- Number 69 ranked bowler.
A complete package. https://t.co/8ZrXBqF8Ib
Joe Root has replaced Marnus Labuschagne at the top of the ICC Men's Test batting rankings ๐ฅ
Love it, @root66! ๐
๐ #r66tacademy https://t.co/ejQF9GNDo3
Joe Root becomes the new number 1 ranked Test batter in the World.
The best ever from England. https://t.co/KljdxeE09d
Joseph Edward Root is now the No.1 Test batter in the world๐ https://t.co/DYLdmfmyey
BREAKING NEWS 
๐จ BREAKING NEWS ๐จ
Joe Root is officially the best Test batsman in the world in the latest ICC rankings ๐ https://t.co/oXPwToq0xA
Kevin Pietersen lauds Joe Root's work ethic
Former England star batter Kevin Pietersen has hailed Joe Root for the hunger and consistency that he has shown in Tests. Pietersen pointed out how Root works just as hard day in, day out even after more than 11,000 Test runs and does not let the hunger for runs extinguish.
He also credited Root's time in IPL 2023 as he feels that may have freed him up to play his shots. On this, Pietersen told Sky Sports:
"The sky is the limit for Root with the brain he has and also his work ethic, which is like none other. With 11,000 Test runs, he could be, 'I've got enough, I could swan around, get a hundred, watch everyone the next morning warm up and play football with the lads'.
"No, no. Every single morning Root is out there wanting to improve. It would have been in those two months in the IPL [with Rajasthan Royals] where those shots would have been ingrained in his game."
Root has also risen to No. 8 among all-rounders in the latest ICC rankings after being handy with the ball as well in Edgbaston.