Matt Henry has officially joined Jasprit Bumrah at the top of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings. In the latest rankings update released on June 24, 2026, both fast bowlers are tied at the top with 870 rating points each, making them joint World No. 1 Test bowlers.
Henry ends 36-Year wait for New Zealand pacers
Henry’s rise to the top marks a historic achievement for New Zealand cricket. He becomes the first Kiwi fast bowler to reach the No. 1 position in the ICC Test rankings since legendary pacer Sir Richard Hadlee, ending a 36-year wait for a New Zealand seamer. Only two others NZ bowlers have claimed top spot in the rankings before – Jack Cowie (1947) and Richard Hadlee (1984-1990).Bumrah, meanwhile, had enjoyed an uninterrupted reign at the top since November 2024 before Henry’s latest surge brought him level.
How the two pace giants compare
As of June 2026, the world’s two highest-ranked Test bowlers boast outstanding career records:
| Bowler | Test Wickets | Best Bowling Figures | Bowling Average | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 152 | 7/23 | 26.05 | 3.11 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 234 | 6/27 | 19.79 | 2.77 |
Henry’s climb to the top was driven by a sensational performance in New Zealand’s second Test victory over England at The Oval. The right-arm seamer produced match figures of 11/109, claiming 5/80 in the first innings and 6/29 in the second, as New Zealand secured a commanding 253-run victory to level the three-match series. Henry and Bumrah have been operating in a league of their own in recent years. Since the start of 2022, they are the only two fast bowlers in world cricket to have taken more than 100 Test wickets while maintaining a bowling average below 20.
Trent Bridge awaits for Matt Henry
Matt Henry stands on the precipice of history as he leads New Zealand’s attack into the 3rd and deciding Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting tomorrow, June 25, 2026. Fresh off reclaiming the joint World No. 1 ranking, Henry faces a venue renowned for being a fast-bowling paradise. If Henry mimics his 11-wicket exploits from The Oval, he could become the lone owner of the ICC No. 1 Test Bowling spot, breaking his current tie with Jasprit Bumrah.
