Joe Root has further cemented his legacy as one of cricket’s finest by overtaking former captain Alastair Cook to become England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer. Root reached this remarkable milestone during the first Test of England’s series against Pakistan, needing just 71 runs to surpass Cook’s record of 12,472 runs. In a moment of sheer class, Root accomplished this feat on Day 3 with a beautifully timed straight drive.

Joe Root’s rise to the pinnacle of England cricket

Root came into the Pakistan series in blistering form, having amassed 666 runs in England’s 2024 summer. During that period, he broke another of Cook’s records by becoming England’s leading Test centurion, thanks to twin hundreds against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. Root’s climb to the top was inevitable, and when Ollie Pope was dismissed early in England’s first innings in Multan, the stage was set. Walking in at No.3, Root demonstrated impeccable concentration, batting alongside Zak Crawley to reach his half-century before the lunch break on day three.

The crowning moment came shortly after, when Root stroked his 71st run – a stylish shot back past Pakistan’s Aamer Jamal – officially surpassing Cook’s total and etching his name into English cricket history. Root’s record-breaking run is a testament to his extraordinary longevity, skill, and determination over the years.

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Alastair Cook’s record-breaking legacy

Cook, who retired in 2018, held the England Test run record for nearly a decade. Cook claimed the title in 2015 when he surpassed Graham Gooch’s 8,900 runs, solidifying his position as the top English batter of all time. His career was decorated with numerous achievements, including becoming the first England player to pass the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket. Cook’s final tally of 12,472 runs in 161 matches was thought to be a long-standing record – until Root’s incredible run-scoring spree.

Moving up the global test run charts

Root’s achievement isn’t just a milestone for English cricket. His 12,473 runs place him fifth on the global all-time Test run-scorer list. Only four legends – Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Ricky Ponting (13,378), Jacques Kallis (13,289) and Rahul Dravid (13,288) – have scored more runs than Root. Given his current form and hunger for runs, Root could soon surpass Dravid, Kallis and Ponting, leaving Tendulkar’s world record as his final target. If Root continues his prolific form, he may very well challenge the Indian icon’s staggering 15,921-run record.

Dominating the World Test Championship

Root’s dominance extends beyond individual milestones, as he also leads the charts in the World Test Championship (WTC). He became the first player to score 5,000 runs in WTC matches, showcasing his consistency in this elite competition. Root holds records for the most matches played, the most centuries scored, and now the most runs in WTC history – an unparalleled feat that solidifies his position as one of the greatest Test cricketers of his generation.

Chasing new records

Beyond becoming England’s top run-scorer, Root is on the verge of reaching another prestigious milestone: joining the elite club of batters with 35 or more Test centuries. Root’s next century would elevate him above greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene and Younis Khan, further enhancing his cricketing credentials.

Tendulkar, who holds the record with 51 centuries, remains the ultimate goal. But with Jacques Kallis (45), Ricky Ponting (41) and Rahul Dravid (36) all within striking distance, Root is well-positioned to chase down some of the game’s greatest records in the coming years.

At 33, Root shows no signs of slowing down. Since the start of 2023, he has averaged a staggering 61 in Test cricket, a sign of his enduring excellence. His elegant batting, combined with an insatiable appetite for runs, suggests that Root is far from done rewriting the record books. His journey, from his Test debut in 2012 to now being at the top of England’s run-scoring charts, is nothing short of extraordinary.

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