Joe Root: England's Run Machine and Modern Test Great

Joe Root is England's highest run-scorer in Test cricket with over 12,000 runs — more than any other England batter in history. He is considered the finest Test batter of his generation globally, with an average above 50 and a consistent capacity to score on all surfaces worldwide.

Career statistics

Style and technique

Root's technique is based on balance — he rarely commits early to a shot and uses his weight transfer to play the ball late. His cover drive is considered among the most beautiful in modern cricket. His ramp shot against pace over fine leg has become a distinctive signature. He averages above 50 in nearly every Test-playing country.

Prolific 2021 — a year for the ages

Root scored 1,708 Test runs in the calendar year 2021 — the fourth-highest calendar year total in Test history. He scored 6 centuries in the year, reaching 100 against India, Sri Lanka, and India again in back-to-back innings. He carried England's batting through a difficult period when they lost 9 Tests in 2021.

Captaincy

Root captained England from 2017 to 2022 — 64 Tests. His win-loss record as captain was below his qualities as a batter, partly because England's bowling was inconsistent. He relinquished the captaincy voluntarily after an Ashes defeat in Australia. Since giving up the captaincy, his run-scoring has paradoxically increased — he appears to be a more prolific batter without the burden of leadership.

Path to records

Root is on course to become the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, potentially surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 15,921. If he maintains his current pace (he averages 50+ and plays regularly), he could reach 15,000 Test runs by the late 2020s. He is the betting favourite to own the Test runs record before retirement.