<p>England captain Joe Root replaced New Zealand counterpart Kane Williamson as the top-ranked test batsman on Wednesday, riding his red-hot form in the ongoing five-test series against India.</p>.<p>Root began the series fifth in the batting charts but smashed three centuries in as many tests against Virat Kohli's men to reclaim the top position after a six-year gap.</p>.<p>The 30-year-old is the leading scorer in the series with 507 runs from five innings and has registered six test hundreds this year.</p>.<p>Australia run-machine Steve Smith is third in the latest official rankings, ahead of compatriot Marnus Labuschagne.</p>.<p>India opener Rohit Sharma completes the top five, overtaking his captain Kohli, who has had a subdued series in England.</p>.<p>Veteran England seamer James Anderson entered the top five in the test bowling rankings after his consistent performance against India.</p>.<p>The series is level at 1-1 going into the fourth test scheduled at the Oval from Thursday.</p>
<p>England captain Joe Root replaced New Zealand counterpart Kane Williamson as the top-ranked test batsman on Wednesday, riding his red-hot form in the ongoing five-test series against India.</p>.<p>Root began the series fifth in the batting charts but smashed three centuries in as many tests against Virat Kohli's men to reclaim the top position after a six-year gap.</p>.<p>The 30-year-old is the leading scorer in the series with 507 runs from five innings and has registered six test hundreds this year.</p>.<p>Australia run-machine Steve Smith is third in the latest official rankings, ahead of compatriot Marnus Labuschagne.</p>.<p>India opener Rohit Sharma completes the top five, overtaking his captain Kohli, who has had a subdued series in England.</p>.<p>Veteran England seamer James Anderson entered the top five in the test bowling rankings after his consistent performance against India.</p>.<p>The series is level at 1-1 going into the fourth test scheduled at the Oval from Thursday.</p>