Joe Root Overtakes Sir Alastair Cook in Test Runs

Joe Root has officially surpassed Sir Alastair Cook to become England’s highest Test run-scorer of all time. He achieved this milestone by reaching 71 runs against Pakistan during the third day of the first Test in Multan, thus eclipsing Cook’s previous record of 12,472 Test runs. Root, now with 12,476 runs in 147 Tests accomplished this feat in 14 fewer matches than Cook and currently ranks fifth on the all-time list.

Since making his Test debut against India in 2012, Root has accumulated 34 centuries with his highest score being 254 against Pakistan. The 33-year-old right-hander, who has an impressive batting average of just over 50 has been in exceptional form, averaging 61 runs since the start of 2023. Root’s achievement came on a notable day, as it coincided with his brother Billy’s wedding in South Wales.

Former England captain Alastair Cook praised Root’s accomplishment, noting his consistent desire to score runs despite having lost the captaincy. Cook observed that Root has stepped up his game since an infamous dismissal against Jasprit Bumrah where he attempted a reverse scoop and was caught at slip. Since then, Root’s batting has shown remarkable improvement with an extraordinary average of 75.

Joe Root’s achievement has also drawn accolades from other cricketing legends including David Gower and Michael Atherton, both of whom were present in Multan to witness the historic moment. They commended Root for his elegance at the crease and his remarkable consistency over the years. As Root continues his career, he remains focused on accumulating more runs, demonstrating his relentless pursuit of excellence in the sport.