Joe Root
England · Right-hand Batter
Joe Root is England's greatest ever Test batter and one of the finest batsmen of any generation. Born in Sheffield on 30 December 1990, Root has quietly accumulated more Test runs than any England player in history, surpassing Sir Alastair Cook's record in 2023 and continuing to extend it. A member of cricket's celebrated 'Fab Four', his technique, temperament and run-scoring consistency place him among the all-time greats.
Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 155+ | 12900+ | 50.4 | 34+ | 62+ |
| ODIs | 175+ | 7330+ | 48.5 | 19 | 42+ |
| T20Is | 32 | 893 | 25.5 | 0 | 6 |
Statistics are approximate and subject to update.
Batting Style
Joe Root bats right-handed with a classically correct technique that has remained the foundation of a record-breaking career. His stillness at the crease is remarkable — he rarely wastes movement and his head stays level through the shot. His off-side play is his most celebrated attribute: the cover drive, played with a high elbow and full extension through the ball, is one of the most aesthetically pleasing shots in modern cricket.
Root has added to his technical armoury over the years. His reverse sweep — once considered a risk shot for a top-order batter — has become a reliable scoring option against spin, particularly on turning pitches in India and Sri Lanka where he has scored heavily. He also increasingly uses the paddle sweep and has adopted the switch-hit in limited-overs cricket.
Perhaps the most remarkable evolution late in his career has been his bowling. Root has always offered occasional off-spin, but from 2021 onwards he began bowling more deliberately, developing a leg-break that has produced crucial Test wickets in matches England needed them. He has become a genuine sixth bowling option, which has freed Ben Stokes to take bolder decisions with his pace attack.
Key Records
- →England's all-time leading Test run-scorer (12,900+ runs) — a record he continues to extend
- →England record for most Test centuries (34+), surpassing Sir Alastair Cook
- →One of only five players in history to score 12,000 Test runs
- →Most runs in a calendar year for England in Tests (multiple times)
- →Took up off-spin bowling seriously in his 30s, taking crucial wickets in Tests
- →Scored centuries against every Test-playing nation
FAQs
How many Test runs has Joe Root scored?
Joe Root has scored over 12,900 Test runs, making him England's all-time leading Test run-scorer and one of only five batters in history to reach that milestone. He surpassed Sir Alastair Cook's England record in 2023 and continues to extend his own record with each series.
What position does Joe Root bat in Tests?
Joe Root bats at number 3 for England in Test cricket — a position he has made his own since 2012. He occasionally bats at 4 depending on the state of the match. His ability to come in at 3 and build an innings from any situation is considered one of the finest skills in the modern game.
Why did Joe Root leave the England Test captaincy?
Joe Root resigned as England Test captain in April 2022 after a run of poor results including a 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia and a 1-0 series loss in the West Indies. He felt that stepping down would benefit both his own form and the team. He has since flourished as a player, scoring prolifically under Ben Stokes's captaincy.
Is Joe Root part of the 'Fab Four'?
Yes — Joe Root is one of the so-called 'Fab Four' of modern Test batting alongside Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. The four batters dominated Test cricket through the 2010s and early 2020s, collectively averaging over 50 in Tests and redefining batting standards for their era.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Joseph Edward Root
- Born
- 30 December 1990
- Birthplace
- Sheffield, England
- Batting
- Right-hand
- Bowling
- Off-break / Leg-break
- Test debut
- India, December 2012
- ODI debut
- India, January 2013
- England record
- Most runs + centuries