What's happened
On October 9, 2024, Joe Root surpassed Alastair Cook's record to become England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket, achieving his 35th century with a score of 176 not out against Pakistan in Multan. This milestone places him fifth on the all-time list of Test run-scorers.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Joe Root's achievement was marked by a modest celebration, reflecting his understated nature despite the significance of the milestone. Ali Martin notes that Root's consistency has been remarkable, especially since 2021, where he has averaged 57.9 with 18 centuries. Rory Dollard from The Independent emphasizes Root's endurance during the innings, stating he faced physical challenges yet delivered a masterclass performance. Dollard also highlights Root's position among the all-time greats, suggesting he could surpass even more records in the future.
How we got here
Joe Root entered the first Test against Pakistan needing 71 runs to overtake Alastair Cook's record of 12,472 Test runs. Root's achievement comes after a successful career spanning over a decade, marked by consistent performances and significant milestones.
More on these topics
-
Joseph Edward Root MBE is an English international cricketer who is the current captain of England in Test cricket. He also represents Yorkshire domestically.
-
Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres.
-
Sir Alastair Nathan Cook CBE is an English cricketer who plays for Essex County Cricket Club, and formerly for England in all international formats.
-
Zak Crawley is an English professional cricketer who plays for Kent County Cricket Club. He was born in Bromley in south-east London and was educated at Tonbridge School.
-
Ben Matthew Duckett is an English cricketer who plays for Nottinghamshire. He is a left-handed batsman who can play as a wicket-keeper. He made his international debut for England in October 2016. Duckett has signed for the Brisbane Heat.
-
Rahul Sharad Dravid is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian national team. He is the Director of Cricket Operations at National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru. He also monitors the progress of India A and India under-19 cricket teams.
-
Harry Cherrington Brook is an English first-class cricketer who plays for Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Primarily a right-handed batsman, he also bowls right-arm medium pace.