England's batting maestro, Joe Root, has etched his name deeper into the annals of cricket history. The former captain achieved a monumental career milestone by becoming only the ninth cricketer in the world to amass 22,000 runs in international cricket.
A Landmark Innings at Edgbaston
The historic moment arrived during the first Test of the summer against the West Indies at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Root, who has been the cornerstone of England's batting for over a decade, reached the landmark with a characteristically elegant shot. He entered the match needing just 26 runs to cross the 22,000-run threshold and accomplished the feat on the first day of the Test, much to the delight of the home crowd.
His knock of 68 runs in the first innings was crucial in setting up a strong platform for his team. This achievement further cements his status as one of the modern greats of the game and arguably England's finest batter of this generation.
Joining a Pantheon of Legends
By entering the 22,000-run club, Joe Root now finds himself in an exclusive group of batting legends. The elite list is topped by Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar, who sits far ahead with a staggering 34,357 international runs.
The other cricketers who have achieved this remarkable feat are:
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) - 34,357 runs
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 28,016 runs
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) - 27,483 runs
- Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) - 25,957 runs
- Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - 25,534 runs
- Virat Kohli (India) - 26,733 runs
- Rahul Dravid (India) - 24,064 runs
- Brian Lara (West Indies) - 22,358 runs
Root surpassed the legendary West Indian Brian Lara's tally of 22,358 runs during the same Edgbaston Test, moving up to eighth on the all-time list. His consistent performance across all three formats—Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)—has been the driving force behind this accumulation.
The Journey of a Modern Great
Joe Root's journey to this milestone is a testament to his skill, temperament, and longevity. Making his international debut in 2012, he quickly established himself as a technically sound and prolific run-scorer. His batting is built on a classical foundation, with a strong emphasis on playing late and finding gaps with precision.
He is the leading run-scorer for England in Test cricket among active players and is second only to Alastair Cook in the all-time list for the country. In ODIs, he has been equally influential, playing a pivotal role in England's historic 2019 World Cup triumph. His ability to adapt his game to the demands of different formats has been a key feature of his success.
What This Milestone Means for Cricket
Root's entry into this exclusive club highlights the era of high-scoring batsmen in modern cricket, where players engage in a heavy schedule across formats. It also underscores the remarkable consistency required to reach such a pinnacle over a sustained period.
For England, having a player of Root's caliber is a massive asset. As the team transitions under new leadership, his experience and mountain of runs will be invaluable in guiding the next generation. This record solidifies his legacy and places him firmly among the sport's immortals, inspiring young cricketers in England and around the world to pursue excellence with dedication and grace.
The achievement at Edgbaston is not just a personal triumph for Joe Root but a celebration of classical batting in an age increasingly dominated by power-hitting. It reaffirms that there is still a paramount place for technique, patience, and accumulation in the beautiful game of cricket.
