Joe Root has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test matches during the first Test against Pakistan. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Root surpassed Alastair Cook’s long-standing record by accumulating a remarkable total of 12,546 runs, following an impressive unbeaten century.
This milestone was achieved on Wednesday, solidifying Root’s status as England’s “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) in red-ball cricket.
With this achievement, Root now ranks as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket, joining the illustrious ranks of legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid.
England’s Top Run-Scorers in Test Cricket:
- Joe Root – 12,546 runs
- Alastair Cook – 12,472 runs
- Graham Gooch – 8,900 runs
- Alec Stewart – 8,463 runs
- David Gower – 8,231 runs
- Kevin Pietersen – 8,181 runs
Most Runs in Test Cricket History:
- Sachin Tendulkar – 15,921 runs
- Ricky Ponting – 13,378 runs
- Jacques Kallis – 13,289 runs
- Rahul Dravid – 13,288 runs
- Joe Root – 12,546 runs
In addition to this record, the 33-year-old batter has surpassed Younis Khan, Brian Lara, and Mahela Jayawardene to become the sixth player with the most centuries in Test cricket. With 35 centuries to his name, Root is just three centuries shy of surpassing Kumar Sangakkara and Rahul Dravid, potentially making him the fourth-highest century-maker in the format.
Most Centuries in Test Cricket:
- Sachin Tendulkar – 51 centuries
- Jacques Kallis – 45 centuries
- Ricky Ponting – 41 centuries
- Kumar Sangakkara – 38 centuries
- Rahul Dravid – 36 centuries
- Joe Root – 35 centuries
- Younis Khan – 34 centuries
In the current Test match, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a formidable total of 556 runs in their first innings, presenting a significant challenge for the visiting England side. Meanwhile, the Three Lions are displaying an aggressive batting strategy, accumulating over 300 runs for the loss of just three wickets, with Joe Root and Harry Brook making vital contributions to their total.
