Joe Root Test Career Explained: England's Greatest Batter, 13,000 Runs, and the Bazball Evolution
Joe Root's Test career — 13,000+ Test runs (highest by an England batter), 30+ Test centuries, how he went from frustrating potential to prolific production (2021 year: 1,708 Test runs — the most in any calendar year since 2006), his leadership of England batting under Bazball, and comparison to the modern 'Fab Four' (Kohli, Smith, Williamson).
Joe Root (born December 30, 1990, Sheffield) has scored 13,000+ Test runs (the most by any England batter, passing Alastair Cook's record of 12,472 in 2023 — though exact ranking depends on ongoing career progress) at approximately 50.5 average with 33+ Test centuries (career ongoing). He is the leading scorer among the 'Fab Four' (Root, Kohli, Smith, Williamson) — cricket's four dominant Test batsmen of the 2015-2024 era. In 2021, Root scored 1,708 Test runs in a calendar year — the most Test runs scored in a single calendar year since Ricky Ponting in 2006.
Root's 2021: 1,708 Test Runs in a Single Year
Root's 2021 Test batting season: (1) Series played: India (home), Sri Lanka (away), India (away in the last Test — India had quarantine issues), Pakistan (away), New Zealand (home). Root played in all series; (2) His century landmarks: Root scored 5 Test centuries in 2021 including 228 vs Sri Lanka (Galle), 186 vs India (Chennai) in the drawn series, 109 and 84 vs Pakistan. He scored centuries in consecutive Test innings in multiple series; (3) Why 2021 was special: Root was England's captain (responsible for both batting and captaincy duties) throughout the year — his production while managing England's Test team was extraordinary. He averaged 60.97 across the year; (4) The comparison to prior records: Brian Lara scored 1,749 Test runs in 1994; Mohammad Yousuf scored 1,788 in 2006; Michael Vaughan scored 1,481 in 2002 (for England). Root's 1,708 is among the 10 highest single-calendar-year Test run tallies ever recorded.
Root Under Bazball: The Second Peak
Root's transformation under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes (Bazball, from May 2022): (1) Root resigned the England captaincy in April 2022 — freeing him from the combined burden of leadership and batting. Stokes became captain; (2) Root's batting under Bazball: liberated from captaincy responsibilities, Root has produced his most consistent and adventurous batting. Under Bazball's aggressive approach, Root has adopted: more attacking shot selection early in his innings (sixes over long-on, reverse sweeps against pace), higher intent against spin (using his feet more aggressively), and fewer 'holding' innings where he bats time without scoring; (3) Statistical output: Root averaged approximately 55+ in Tests under Bazball (through mid-2024), maintaining consistent century production while matching Stokes's aggressive team culture; (4) The off-spin: Root's off-spin bowling (he bowls part-time right-arm off-break) has become a more regular part of England's Bazball approach — he takes wickets in key moments and has developed as a genuine bowling option, not just a change bowler.
Root vs Cook: England's Batting Record
Root vs Alastair Cook (England's batting comparison): (1) Alastair Cook: 12,472 Test runs in 161 Tests at 45.35 average, 33 Test centuries. England's previous record holder. Cook was a left-handed opener known for accumulation and patience — often grinding long periods without acceleration; (2) Root: 13,000+ Test runs (career ongoing), 33+ centuries, 50.5 average. Root's average is higher than Cook's; Root has scored more in fewer matches (approximately 133 Tests to mid-2024 vs Cook's 161). Root is both more prolific and more efficient per match; (3) Playing styles: Cook was a grafter (survival-first, runs through running between wickets and carefully selected boundaries). Root is a stroke-maker (off-side driving, sweeping, reverse sweeping, on-driving) with the full range of batting options. Root is more aesthetically entertaining; Cook was more durable in adverse conditions; (4) Cook's captaincy record: Cook captained England in 59 Tests (24 wins) — successful but not at the level of Root's era (Root captained 64 Tests with 27 wins before resigning).
Frequently asked questions
How many Test runs has Joe Root scored?
Joe Root has scored 13,000+ Test runs (still active as of 2026) at approximately 50.5 average with 35+ Test centuries — the most by any England batter. He is the leading scorer among the 'Fab Four' (Root, Kohli, Smith, Williamson). In 2021, Root scored 1,708 Test runs in a single calendar year — the most by an England batter in a calendar year and among the 10 highest single-year totals in Test history.
What is the Fab Four in cricket?
The Fab Four refers to Joe Root (England), Virat Kohli (India), Steve Smith (Australia), and Kane Williamson (New Zealand) — the four dominant Test batsmen of the mid-2010s to mid-2020s era, named after the Beatles. Combined, they have scored 41,000+ Test runs between them. Root leads with 13,000+ runs (still active). Smith averages 60+ with 9,000+ runs. Kohli retired from Tests in May 2025 with 9,230 runs and remains active in ODIs with 50+ ODI centuries. Williamson retired in June 2026 with 9,515 Test runs at 54.06 average after NZ's 2019 WC Final appearance and 2021 WTC title.
Why did Joe Root stop being England captain?
Joe Root resigned as England Test captain in April 2022 following a difficult period — England had lost the 2021-22 Ashes in Australia 0-4, and Root's cumulative captaincy record (27 wins, 26 losses in 64 Tests) reflected a team in transition. The decision to resign was voluntary — Root stepped down rather than being removed. He was replaced by Ben Stokes. Root continued as England's first-choice batsman and has thrived under Bazball (the aggressive Test cricket approach introduced by Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum) — averaging 55+ under the new regime, with fewer captaincy burdens distracting from batting performance.