WEBDESK: Joe Root has made cricket history once again by becoming the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. The former England captain reached this milestone during the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Edgbaston.
He is only the fifth player in cricket history to reach the mark, joining Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid.
Root began the match on 12,972 Test runs and needed just 28 more to reach the landmark. He crossed the milestone with trademark composure, underlining the consistency and technical prowess that have defined his career in the longest format.
His performance helped England reach a commanding first-innings total of 492-3. The achievement places Root among the elite of Test cricket, with only Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid ahead of him on the all-time list.
Joe Root debuted for England in 2012 and has since become one of the most dependable batsmen in the world. His calm demeanor and technical skill have won him praise not just in England but across the cricketing world.
He is now the fastest player, in terms of matches, to reach 13,000 Test runs – doing so in his 153rd match. In terms of innings, Root reached the mark in his 279th innings, the fifth quickest in history.
The achievement marks a significant moment for England cricket, which had never before seen a batter cross the 13,000-run threshold in Tests.
Many cricket experts believe that Joe Root still has several good years ahead of him, and his current form suggests more records could fall. Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 Test runs is the next major figure in sight. Root also has 36 centuries and will look to close the gap on Tendulkar’s 68 fifties and 51 hundreds.
Beyond the numbers, Joe Root has also been a strong leader for England, having captained the Test team from 2017 to 2022. While he stepped down from the role, his commitment to the team remains strong, and his recent performance shows he’s far from finished.
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