The current World Test Championship cycle for England didn’t go as planned. The England team had a decent start to the cycle as they drew the 2023 Ashes series against Australia. However, the disappointment in the English camp creeped in with their series loss against India and their failure to capitalize on th??e built momentum after a solid start against able opposition.

England batters shine amidst a disappointing WTC cycle

The England team currently sit 6th in the WTC points table w??ith 11 wins and 10 losses. However, there were several positives that the English team can take from the current WTC cycle. The?? most positive aspect of England in the current WTC cycle is their batting. They are steadily gaining a reputation of putting big totals on board due to the presence of solid batters in its side.

The English batting prowess in Test cricket is evident from the fact that 4 out of the top-5 highest run sc?orers in the current WTC cycle are from England. In the light of this impressive record from English batters, here is a list of 5 highest run scorers for England in the current WTC cycle.

Also Read: Top 5 players wit?h most runs for India in WTC 2023-25 cycle

5 English batters with most runs in the current WTC cycle

• Joe Root: A beacon of excellence

Joe Root has become a name synonymous to consistency and stability to the English side. At 34 years of ??a?ge, he has emerged as a mature batter in Test cricket with a number of youngsters developing to their absolute best under him. Root is currently the leading run scorer in the current WTC cycle. The English top order batter has scored a total of 1556 runs in 31 innings in 2024 with an impeccable batting average of 55.57. The previous year was a dream come true for Root as far as batting is concerned as he scored 6 centuries in the calendar year including his career best of 262 against Pakistan. With a few more years of Test cricket in him, Root is not only contributing runs for his team but also developing a number of youngsters with exceptional batting skills.

• Ben Duckett: A seasoned opener for England

Although Ben Duckett became a regular starter in the Test side in 2023, he has been a major talking point in the English circle for some time now. A product of reputed Stowe School and with over 10,000 first-class runs under his belt for Northamptonshire, Duckett has now evolved as a pillar of strength in the batting order, cementing his place as an opener. Duckett has shown promising signs in the current WTC cycle with 1470 runs to his name. Currently, he is the third highest run sorcerer in the WTC cycle behind Root and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the 30-year-old is set to ?achieve more in the longest format of the game with age and experience.

• Harry Brook: Promising future of English batting

Harry Brook has already become the next big thing in Test cricket with parallels being drawn between him and great right-hand batters of world cricket like Steve Smith and Kane Williamson. The 25-year-old has already achieved a batting average of 58.48 in Test cricket. 2024 was a dream year for Brook as he managed to score a total of 1100 runs ?and aced 4 centuries for his side. Add??itionally, a major highlight for the year was the gigantic 317-run knock he scored against Pakistan in Multan.

• Zak Crawley: Limitless potential and talent

Zak Crawley starred in the England team as a perfect partner for Duckett opening the innings. However, the 26-year-old currently faces a lack of consistency in r??ed-ball cricket. Still the batting prodigy from Kent has scored 1175 runs in the current WTC cycle a?nd secured a place for himself in the England team. The top-order batter will aim to score runs for his team consistently and reach the peak of his prowess in Test cricket in the near future.

• Ollie Pope: The next big thing in English middle order

Although Ollie Pope has opened for England time and again, fans and analysts see his permanent position in the middle-order as a promising talent England has got their hands on after Paul Collingwood, Jonny Bairstow and Kevin Pieterson. The 27-year-old is known for Test-level temperament and patience when it comes to batting and the ability to cruise the team through difficult conditions. Pope has scored 994 runs in 2024. He is currently the 8th highest?? run scorer in the 2023-25 WTC cycle with 3 centuries to his name.

Also Read: Top 5 players with most runs for Pakistan ?in WTC 2023-25 cycle

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In a significant development for Australian cricket, Steve Smith is poised to take the helm as captain for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka as per a CODE Sports report. This change comes as regular skipper Pat Cummins will miss the tour due to family commitments, specifically the impending birth of his second child. The announcement, confirmed by head coach Andrew McDonald back in November, has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike about Smith’s return to a leadership role.

A new chapter in leadership for Steve Smith

Smith’s potential return to captaincy marks a notable shift in Australian cricket’s leadership dynamics. Having previously led the national team until the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, Smith’s leadership journey has been tumultuous. His interim captaincy in December 2021 and leadership during the final two Tests of the recent tour of India have demonstr??ated his capability and resilience in guidi??ng the team through challenging times.

The upcoming series against Sri Lanka is not just another set of matches; it is crucial for Australia’s aspirations in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. Australia currently sit second on the WTC points table, and winning at least one of the two Tests against Sri Lanka is essential for their chances to q??ualify for the finals. The first Test is scheduled to commence on January 29 at Galle International Stadium, followed by another match on February 6.

Also READ: Who will advance to the WTC final 2025 if India and Australia end with equal points?

The impact of Pat Cummins’ absence

Cummins’ decision to prioritize family over cricket highlights a growing trend among athletes who seek a balance between personal life and professional commitments. His absence could pose challenges for Australia, especially if they fail to secure a win against India in their ongoing series. Should Australia not clinch victory in the final Test against India, they would need to win both Tests in Sri Lanka to maintain their position in the WTC race.

Cumminsâ€?leadership style has been pivotal for Australia since he took over as captain, and his absence raises questions about how the team will adapt under Smith’s guidance once again. While both Smith and Cummins have been key players in Australia’s recent successes, this transition may test the team’s depth and adaptability.

Smith’s experience as an asset

Smith’s extensive experience as a former captain will be invaluable during this transitional phase. His familiarity with high-press??ure situations and ability to strategize effectively during mat?ches can help stabilize the team as they navigate through this critical period. Moreover, his recent performances have shown that he remains one of the top batters in international cricket, which adds further credibility to his leadership role.

Smith’s return could also reinvigorate the team’s morale, especially given his past successes and strong rapport w?ith teammates. His ?ability to inspire confidence and foster a competitive spirit will be vital as Australia prepare for two challenging Tests against a resilient Sri Lankan side.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Pat Cummins sheds light on Australia’s method to counter Jasprit Bumrah in the 5th Test at SC?G

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