Joe Root Breaks Records
On October 8, 2024, Joe Root set a new milestone for English cricket by becoming England’s leading Test run-scorer. He achieved this during the third day of the Multan Test against Pakistan, surpassing the previous record held by Alastair Cook. Joe Root remarkable performance elevated his total to 12,578 Test runs, making him fifth on the all-time Test run-scorer list globally. This feat is significant for England and the broader cricket community, as Root now stands alongside some of the greatest batsmen in the sport’s history.
Joe Root accomplishment came in just 147 matches and 268 innings, breaking Cook’s record of 12,472 runs in 161 matches and 291 innings. His current tally places him behind cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid. Joe Root ascension to the top of England’s batting charts has been marked by consistency, adaptability, and an ever-present hunger to succeed. He now holds the record for the most Test runs for England post-World War II, surpassing a line of greats like Geoff Boycott, David Gower, and Graham Gooch.
Throughout his career, Joe Root has showcased his talent by scoring centuries in every Test-playing nation where he has played at least four matches, except Australia. His recent 176* in Multan marked his 35th Test century, overtaking the records of Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Younis Khan, each ending their careers with 34 centuries. Joe Root achievement is even more remarkable, given that he is still active and showing no signs of slowing down.
One of the highlights of Joe Root career has been his ability to deliver consistently in various conditions. Since 2021, he has scored 18 Test centuries. In comparison, from his debut in 2012 until 2020, he had 17 hundreds. This stark improvement reflects his enhanced focus and refined technique. His performance has made him a valuable asset for England, especially in challenging overseas conditions.
Root’s consistency extends to his ability to score 1000+ Test runs in a single calendar year. With 1,162 Test runs in 2024, Joe Root has achieved this milestone five times, joining an elite group led by Sachin Tendulkar, who managed it six times in his career. Joe Root five centuries this year alone put him among the top players with the most centuries in a calendar year, a feat achieved by legends like Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Jacques Kallis.
During the Multan Test, Joe Root was involved in three-century partnerships in England’s innings—an achievement highlighting his value as an individual batsman and a team player who can build and sustain crucial partnerships. This is the 11th time an English player has been involved in three 100-run stands in the same innings, and Root is the second to do so twice, joining his predecessor Alastair Cook in this distinction.
Joe Root current form and contributions have elevated England’s performance in the ongoing series against Pakistan. His partnership with Harry Brook in Multan set a new record for England’s highest partnership for any wicket on Pakistan soil. Their 243-run stand surpassed the 233-run record set by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett in Rawalpindi in 2022. Brook, who ended the day unbeaten on 141, is another rising star for England, scoring his fourth consecutive century against Pakistan in just six innings.
Brook’s performances also placed him in an elite company. He became the first batter to score a century in four consecutive Tests on Pakistani soil, a record previously held by only ten other batters. His rapid rise has been instrumental for England, and the Joe Root-Brook partnership promises to be a cornerstone for England’s batting lineup in the coming years.
Root’s continued success has also elevated him in the rankings of most Test centuries. Only five players—Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, and Rahul Dravid—have more centuries than Joe Root. With his current form, Root will likely continue climbing this list and setting new benchmarks,
Country | Player | Matches | Runs |
---|
🇮🇳 | Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 15921 |
🇦🇺 | Ricky Ponting | 168 | 13378 |
🇿🇦 | Jacques Kallis | 166 | 13289 |
🇮🇳 | Rahul Dravid | 164 | 13288 |
🏴☠️ | Joe Root | 147 | 12578* |
🏴☠️ | Alastair Cook | 161 | 12472 |
🇱🇰 | Kumar Sangakkara | 134 | 12400 |
With England looking to build a strong Test team, Root’s experience, leadership, and run-scoring ability will be crucial. As he continues to break records, he cements his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of his generation. His story is far from over, and cricket fans eagerly await to see how far Joe Root can go in redefining batting excellence for England,