Joe Root on brink of creating history in WTC: Details
England's batting talisman Joe Root is on the verge of making history in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). With a current tally of 4,948 runs from 57 WTC matches, Root needs just 52 more runs to become the first cricketer ever to score 5,000 runs in the championship. This milestone could be achieved in the upcoming third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval.
Root's impressive performance in 2nd Test
Root's recent form suggests he is well-positioned to reach this landmark. In the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's, he scored a century in both innings, contributing significantly to his WTC run total. This performance has set the stage for Root potentially reaching the 5,000-run milestone in the upcoming match at The Oval. Notably, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne (3,904) is the only other batter with over 3,500 WTC runs.
Root's numbers from different cycles
With 1,660 runs at 47.42, Root was the second-highest run-getter in the inaugural WTC edition (2019-21). Root amassed 1,915 runs at 53.19 in the 2021-23 cycle. No other batter could even manage 1,700 runs. He has scored 1,373 runs across 15 games at 57.20 in the ongoing 2023-25 cycle, the most for any batter.
Root's journey and potential records in Test cricket
Root, who made his Test debut on December 13, 2012, against India in Nagpur, is also close to becoming England's all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket. He has amassed 12,377 runs from 145 matches so far and needs just 96 more runs to surpass Alastair Cook's record of 12,472 runs for England from 161 matches. This achievement could place him at the top of England's list and fifth worldwide.
Multiple feats loading for Root
If Root scores 24 more runs, he will overtake former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 runs) and become the sixth leading run-scorer in Test cricket history. A further 72 runs would see him surpass Cook's tally and secure the fifth spot globally. This achievement would further cement his legacy as one of England's most successful cricketers.
Root's pursuit of century record in Test cricket
Root is also chasing another significant record in Test cricket. If he scores a century in the Oval Test, he will surpass Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Younis Khan, and Mahela Jayawardene (34 centuries each) to become only the sixth batter worldwide to score 35 or more centuries in Test cricket history. This accomplishment would further enhance his standing among the world's top cricketers.
Root can also accomplish these records
As per ESPNcricinfo, Root has amassed 17,432 runs in First-Class cricket at 50.09. He is 68 runs shy of registering 17,500 runs in the format. Root has smashed 48 tons and 85 fifties in FC cricket. Another record Root can attain is 250 catches in FC cricket. He owns 249 catches. Recently, he became the first Englishman to claim 200 Test catches.
