For the first time in 39 years, the top three batsmen in the ICC men’s Test ranking come from the same country.
And in a worrying sign for England ahead of this week’s Ashes, the trio belong to Australia.
With the latest update to the rankings, Marnus Labuschagne retains the top spot while Steve Smith and Travis Head move into second and third courtesy of their strong World Test Championship Final performance.
Reigning at the 🔝
— ICC (@ICC) June 14, 2023
Australian superstars occupy the top three @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Men's Batting Rankings positions after #WTC23 dominance 💪
More 👉 https://t.co/zfUfV5PuRO pic.twitter.com/nsbhYn8QND
As the Aussies won by 209 runs, Head was awarded Player of the Match for his knock of 163 in the first innings, while Smith also notched a century.
Labuschagne made 67 from his two digs.
Kane Williamson, Babar Azam and Joe Root all fell spots to sit fourth, fifth and sixth.
With Usman Khawaja at ninth, Australia has four batters in the top 10 to England’s one.
The last time three batters from the same team sat at first, second and third on the rankings was when the West Indies had Gordon Greenidge, Clive Lloyd and Larry Gomes sat at the top.
The first of five Ashes Tests starts on Friday night, with every ball heard LIVE across SEN.