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.
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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.
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