With a flawless drive for four, Joe Root has overtaken Alastair Cook to become the highest run-scorer in England’s Test history, solidifying his place as one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era.
Root’s masterful innings in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan pushed him past Cook’s total of 12,472 runs, positioning him fifth on the all-time list, led by India’s Sachin Tendulkar, with more records still within reach.
At 33, the elegant Yorkshireman represents a classic style of batting, an orthodox “touch” player who excels without relying on power hitting to score rapidly.
Alastair Cook, former England captain, praised Root as “England’s greatest” and a “genius” when he surpassed Cook’s own record of 33 Test centuries in August.
Another ex-skipper, Nasser Hussain, has called Root “England’s generational talent” with the bat.
Root followed in the footsteps of former England captain Michael Vaughan, playing for the same Sheffield Collegiate club and joining the Yorkshire first team.
His first-class debut in 2010 was unremarkable, scoring just 14 against a Loughborough University team, but after two promising seasons with Yorkshire, Root earned his place on the 2012 tour of India. England spinner Graeme Swann, once comparing the young Root to a team mascot, witnessed him seize his opportunity, scoring a patient 73 from 229 balls in the final Test in Nagpur.
