Joe Root has etched his name in history by becoming England’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket during the first Test match against Pakistan. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Root surpassed Alastair Cook’s long-standing record by achieving a total of 12,546 runs after scoring an impressive unbeaten century.
This milestone, reached on Wednesday, solidifies Root’s status as England’s “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) in red-ball cricket. With this achievement, he also became the fifth-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket, joining legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid.
England’s Top Run-Scorers in Test Cricket:
- Joe Root: 12,473 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: 12,500 runs
In addition to this record, the 33-year-old batter has also surpassed Younis Khan, Brian Lara, and Mahela Jayawardene, becoming the sixth player with the most centuries in Test cricket. With 35 centuries to his name, Root is just three centuries away from 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 this Test match, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, posting an impressive 556-run total in their first innings, setting a formidable challenge for the visiting England side. The Three Lions, showcasing their aggressive batting approach, have amassed over 300 runs for the loss of just three wickets, with Joe Root and Harry Brook contributing crucial runs to their total.
