Joe Root, born on December 30, 1990, is a prominent figure in English international cricket, renowned for his contributions to the national team as well as Yorkshire in domestic cricket. Root, a former Test team captain, currently holds the distinction of being the leading run-scorer among all active batsmen and ranks tenth in the list of highest run-scorers of all time in Test cricket. Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation and among the finest to emerge from England, Root played a pivotal role in England’s triumph in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, emerging as the top scorer for the team. Furthermore, he holds the title of England’s leading run-scorer in the ICC World Cup, being the sole English player to amass over 1000 runs in the tournament.
Joe Root could not play a big role in England’s victory in the 1st Test against India at the Hyderabad. However, he will be keen to play a big role in the second Test match at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
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Joe Root Test Records & Stats
In Joe Root’s illustrious Test cricket career spanning 136 matches, he has amassed a staggering 11,447 runs at an impressive average of 49.98. His batting prowess is evident from his remarkable tally of 30 centuries and 60 half-centuries, with a highest score of 254 runs. Despite primarily being a batsman, Root has also contributed with the ball, bowling 5,187 deliveries and claiming 65 wickets at an average of 42.76. He has one five-wicket haul to his name, with his best bowling figures being 5/8. Additionally, Root has showcased his fielding prowess with 185 catches to his credit. Overall, Root’s exceptional batting skills, combined with his occasional bowling contributions and solid fielding, establish him as one of the most influential cricketers in the history of English Test cricket.
| Competition | Test |
|---|---|
| Matches | 136 |
| Runs scored | 11,447 |
| Batting average | 49.98 |
| 100s/50s | 30/60 |
| Top score | 254 |
| Balls bowled | 5,187 |
| Wickets | 65 |
| Bowling average | 42.76 |
| 5 wickets in innings | 1 |
| 10 wickets in match | 0 |
| Best bowling | 5/8 |
| Catches/stumpings | 185/– |
Joe Root Test Career
In the fourth Test against India, Joe Root made his debut for the England Test team, receiving his cap from former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood. Despite batting at number six instead of his usual opening position, he showcased his potential with a resilient innings of 73 runs from 229 balls, jointly top-scoring with Kevin Pietersen. In the second innings, he remained unbeaten on 20 runs, contributing to England’s successful draw and their first Test series win on Indian soil since 1984-85.
Following his promising performance in India, Root continued to impress during the tour of New Zealand. Despite the series ending in a draw, he displayed resilience with the bat, accumulating 88 runs across the series.
Upon New Zealand’s visit to England in 2013, Root captained the England Lions against the Black Caps in a warm-up match, scoring 179 runs. He further solidified his position with notable performances in the subsequent Test series, scoring his maiden Test century at Headingley and finishing as England’s top scorer with 243 runs, contributing to a 2–0 series victory.
Root’s versatility was evident as he transitioned to opening the batting alongside Alastair Cook for the Ashes series. He made significant contributions with both bat and ball, including a match-winning innings of 180 runs in the second Test, followed by crucial wickets in the final innings. His efforts played a pivotal role in England retaining the Ashes.
In subsequent series against India and Sri Lanka, Root continued to shine, scoring centuries and providing valuable contributions with the ball. Notably, his unbeaten double century against Sri Lanka at Lord’s and his match-saving 154 against India at Trent Bridge were standout performances.
Root’s consistency and leadership qualities were recognized as he was appointed vice-captain before the 2015 Ashes series. He made significant contributions with both bat and ball throughout the series, earning accolades such as the man of the match and man of the series awards.
His remarkable performances saw him ascend to the number one position in the ICC Test batting rankings, solidifying his status as one of the premier batsmen in international cricket.
In the 2015 tour to the UAE to face Pakistan, Joe Root showcased his batting prowess with consistent performances. In the first Test, he contributed a vital 85 runs to England’s first innings total of 598/9d and remained unbeaten on 33* in the second innings, narrowly missing out on a victory as the match ended in a draw. Root’s impressive display propelled him to the No. 2 spot in the ICC Player Rankings, surpassing AB de Villiers. Despite scoring 88 in the second Test, he couldn’t convert it into a century, but his resilient batting earned him the top spot in the rankings once again, overtaking Steve Smith. However, England succumbed to a 2–0 series loss, with Root finishing as England’s second-highest run-scorer with 287 runs.
In the subsequent tour to South Africa during the 2015–16 season, Root continued his rich vein of form. His century in the second warm-up game set the tone for the series, where he played pivotal roles in England’s victories. Root’s contributions with both bat and ball, including a century and crucial wickets, guided England to a historic series win, marking the first time since 2004–05 that a team had won a series in South Africa. He finished the series as England’s second-highest run-scorer with 386 runs.
In the 2016 tour against Sri Lanka, Root played instrumental innings, scoring 80 in the second Test to help England secure a series win. His monumental 254 in the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford cemented his reputation as one of England’s finest batsmen. Despite a loss in the final Test, Root’s resilient 62 in the second innings contributed to England’s total of 445/6. In the ODI series, Root continued his stellar form, scoring consistently to propel England to victories.
Moving on to the 2016–2017 season against India, Root’s century in the first Test laid a strong foundation for England, although the match ended in a draw. His performances earned him a spot in the ICC World Test XI for 2016.
In May 2022, Root’s exceptional form continued during the New Zealand tour of England. His match-winning innings of 115* in the first Test and contributions in subsequent matches earned him the Man of the Match award and Player of the Series accolade. During the rescheduled fifth Test against India, Root’s unbeaten 142 secured the win for England, capping off a series where he amassed over 700 runs in five Tests.
In July 2022, Root’s participation in England’s Test series against South Africa saw him contributing consistently, albeit with lower scores. Despite a quieter series, Root’s influence remained significant as he continued to be a key figure in England’s Test lineup.
Joe Root Personal Life
Joe Root hails from Dore, Sheffield, where he was raised by his parents, Helen and Matt Root. His younger brother, Billy, also pursued a cricketing career, representing Glamorgan. Root’s educational journey took him through Dore Primary and King Ecgbert School in Sheffield before he earned a cricket sports scholarship to attend Worksop College as a weekly boarder at the age of 15.
Root’s cricketing roots trace back to Sheffield Collegiate CC at Abbeydale Park, where he followed in his father’s footsteps. His time at Collegiate provided him with invaluable guidance from former Yorkshire batsman and England captain, Michael Vaughan, who served as a mentor and inspiration. Root’s talent shone bright as he clinched the Player of the Tournament title at the prestigious Bunbury Festival. Off the field, Root proudly supports Sheffield United F.C.
Also read: All You Need to Know About Carrie Cotterell, the Wife of Joe Root
Joe Root Domestic Career
Root marked his Yorkshire second team debut on 18 July 2007 against Derbyshire at Abbeydale Park with a notable performance, scoring 57 runs and forming a formidable 133-run opening partnership with Adam Lyth. His talent continued to shine as he represented the academy side, culminating in him being named the player of the tournament as Yorkshire’s Academy triumphed in the ProARCH Trophy in Abu Dhabi.
Following his success at the second team level, Root earned a chance in the first team during Yorkshire’s final Pro40 match of the season at Headingley against Essex. There, he showcased his batting prowess, scoring 63 runs and emerging as the top-scorer for Yorkshire despite their loss. Root cherished his debut, describing it as a “dream come true.”
His stellar performances extended to England Under-19 duty in Bangladesh, where he once again stood out as the man of the series. Subsequently, Root secured a three-year professional contract with Yorkshire. He also represented England in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, contributing an unbeaten 70 runs in a victory against Hong Kong.
During the winter, Root honed his skills at the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide, South Australia, further refining his game. In 2011, he made his County Championship debut against Worcestershire at New Road, marking the beginning of a prolific year where he played 15 matches, including his debut for the England Lions cricket team against Sri Lanka A. Notably, Root notched his maiden Championship hundred against Sussex at Scarborough in August. His leadership skills came to the fore when he captained Yorkshire to victory in the 2014 County Championship title, a feat they repeated the following year.
Joe Root Test Stats FAQs
1- How many Test matches has been played by Joe Root for England?
He has played 136 Test matches.
2- How many runs has Joe Root scored for England in Test Cricket?
He has scored 11447 runs at an average of 49.98.
3- How many wickets has been taken by Joe Root in Test Cricket?
He has taken 65 Test wickets.
4- How many centuries has been scored by Joe Root in Test Cricket?
He has scored 30 centuries in Test Cricket.
