Test Greats in Sight for Joe Root After Becoming England’s All-Time Top Run-Scorer
Ahead of this Test match, Joe Root downplayed the significance of becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer, referring to it as “irrelevant.” His understated reaction upon reaching the milestone on Wednesday morning proved he meant it. After driving Aamer Jamal down the ground to reach 71 and break the record, Root acknowledged the applause from his teammates with a gentle wave of his bat, but quickly returned to work, focused on the game at hand.
Root’s point was that his broader goals surpass individual records, emphasizing, “I’d like to get more than that in this game.” True to his word, despite the draining South Punjab sun, Root fought on, eventually reverse-sweeping Abrar Ahmed for a single to bring up his 35th Test century. While the significance of surpassing previous record-holder Alastair Cook will surely sink in over time, Root’s immediate priority was helping England secure victory in this crucial first Test.
Upon reaching his century, Root kissed the badge on his helmet and raised his bat, then gazed skyward in tribute to the late Graham Thorpe. Thorpe, who passed away in August at 55, had played a pivotal role in Root’s career, advocating for his Test debut in 2012 and mentoring him during his early years. Thorpe’s guidance helped Root, a batter raised on Yorkshire’s seaming pitches, transform into one of England’s finest players of spin.
Root’s marathon innings saw him reach 176 not out, fighting through cramps as he anchored England’s innings. He formed significant partnerships, including stands of 109, 136, and an unbeaten 243 with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Harry Brook, respectively. Root was a constant presence through England’s massive innings, spending almost the entire three days in the field, a testament to his endurance and mental toughness.
Reflecting on his performance, Root admitted to feeling exhausted, yet proud. “It’s been a long day,” he said. “I’m proud, but there’s still more work to do.” This was Root’s first century in Pakistan, following a quieter tour two years prior. However, one glaring gap remains in his impressive Test résumé: Root has yet to score a century or win a Test in Australia. With the Ashes looming in just over a year, Root will be eager to address both of these goals.
Root’s ability to handle spinners, even on challenging subcontinental surfaces, has always been a hallmark of his game. Against Abrar Ahmed, he displayed total control, milking singles and doubles, wearing down Pakistan’s fielders on a slow outfield. Despite facing two unsuccessful lbw reviews, Root looked unflappable throughout, mixing patience with precise stroke play.
This innings may not feature prominently in highlight reels, given its slow-burn nature, but Root’s 277-ball effort, including 12 boundaries, showed his ability to adapt to the conditions and grind out runs. Former Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie, who worked with Root early in his international career, praised his relentless drive to improve, recalling Root’s willingness to ask tough questions of his coaches, a trait that has defined his career.
Longevity in Test cricket requires not just skill, but also remarkable physical and mental resilience. Root has never missed a Test due to injury, playing in 147 of England’s 149 matches since his debut. His only absences came due to being dropped in 2014 and for the birth of his second child in 2020. On this occasion, Root’s physical struggles in the searing heat were evident, but after a brief respite at tea, he returned to the crease, rehydrated and ready to continue.
Since stepping down as captain over two years ago, Root’s batting has reached new heights. While he averaged an impressive 46.44 as captain, his numbers have soared since relinquishing the role, with 10 centuries in 30 Tests at an average of 61.11. His focus on Test cricket has allowed him to stay fresh and driven, despite England’s busy schedule.
Root is closing in on several historic milestones. If he scores seven more runs in his next innings, he will become the first Englishman to surpass 20,000 international runs across all formats, a reflection of his contributions to England’s ODI success, including their 2019 World Cup win. At 34, Root has no plans of slowing down and could surpass legends like Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting if he continues at his current rate.
Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test run tally of 15,921 may still seem far off, but with Root’s hunger for runs and England’s busy playing schedule, he will have regular opportunities to close the gap. His defining trait remains his relentless pursuit of improvement, as he said, “Your best one is always your next one.” Should Root perform well in Australia next winter, there will be little doubt that he belongs among the greatest batters in Test history.
