Joe Root: England’s Premier Cricketer

On Day 3 of the Multan Test, an extraordinary series of batting records tumbled, showcasing the exceptional talent and skill present on the field. Among these achievements, one stood out above the rest: Joe Root’s remarkable performance that saw him surpass the legendary Alastair Cook, cementing his status as England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test match history. This milestone highlights Root’s consistency and dedication to the sport. It marks a significant moment in cricket history, as he now holds the prestigious record that once belonged to one of the game’s greatest players. As the day unfolded, cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike marveled at the implications of Root’s achievement, recognizing it as a testament to his enduring legacy and the high standards he has set for future generations of players.

Joe Root: The Record Breaker

With his remarkable achievement of surpassing Alastair Cook’s 12,472 runs, Joe Root now ranks fifth among the all-time leading run-scorers in Test history. He accomplished this feat in 268 innings, compared to Cook’s 291 innings.

Most runs in Test history

Record Holders for Most Test Runs by English Players (Post World War II)

Later in the day, Root achieved his 35th Test century, surpassing legendary cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Younis Khan, each having 34 Test hundreds. Currently, only five players in the history of Test cricket have more centuries than Root: Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), Ricky Ponting (41), Kumar Sangakkara (38), and Rahul Dravid (36). This milestone achievement highlights Root’s consistency and cements his position among the all-time greats in the sport of cricket.

Most Hundreds in Test Cricket

• Joe Root concluded the day’s play unbeaten on 176, marking his 15th score of 150 or more in Test innings. This achievement also represents his 14th-century score away from home, placing him in a tie for second with Ken Barrington in terms of overseas centuries. Only Alastair Cook, with 18, has more away hundreds for England in Test cricket.
• Remarkably, Root has notched a Test century in every country where he has played at least four matches, except Australia. In his 14 Tests there, he has yet to reach three figures. This marks Root’s 18th Test century since the start of 2021; to put this into perspective, he scored 17 centuries from his debut until the end of 2020.
• So far in 2024, Root has amassed 1,162 Test runs, including five centuries. This is the fifth instance of him surpassing 1,000 runs in a calendar year in Test cricket. Only Sachin Tendulkar, with six years of 1,000+ Test runs, surpasses him in this category. This is the third time Root has achieved five or more centuries in a single calendar year.

Five or More Test Hundreds in Most Calendar Years: A Remarkable Achievement

Achieving five or more Test centuries in a single calendar year is a remarkable feat. It demonstrates a batter’s consistency, skill, and adaptability across various conditions. This accomplishment highlights a player’s ability to perform at the sport’s highest level, contributing significantly to their team’s success.

Joe Root’s ability to be involved in three 100-plus partnerships in a single England innings is a testament to his batting prowess and the stability he provides to the team’s batting lineup. This achievement, the 11th instance for an England player to be involved in three century stands in the same innings, puts Root in the elite company of his compatriot Alastair Cook, who accomplished the feat twice.

Harry Brook’s Triumphant Performance in Pakistan: A Record-Breaking Journey

Harry Brook has been enjoying a sensational run of form in Pakistan, culminating in remarkable performances that have etched his name in the history books. With his unbeaten 141* in the ongoing Test, Brook has now amassed four centuries in just six innings across four consecutive Tests in Pakistan, totaling an impressive 609 runs at an average of 121.8.

This incredible feat highlights Brook’s consistency and adaptability in challenging conditions. It underscores his growing stature as a world-class batsman. His ability to build partnerships and anchor the innings has been instrumental in England’s success, contributing to the team’s strong position in the ongoing series.

Hundreds in most consecutive Tests against Pakistan

Brook is also the first batter to score a hundred in four consecutive Tests on Pakistan soil. Ten other batters managed three in three.

Most Test 100s in Pakistan by a visiting batter

– The unbeaten 243-run partnership between Root and Brook is the highest partnership for England for any wicket on Pakistan soil, bettering the 233 runs added by Zak Crawley and Ben Ducket for the first wicket at Rawalpindi in 2022.

– This is also the highest 4th wicket partnership for England against Pakistan, surpassing the 233 runs added by Alastair Cook and Paul Collingwood at Lord’s in 2006. Currently, this is 5th highest partnership for any wicket for England against Pakistan.

– 396 runs scored by England on Day 3 is the third-most by a team in a full day’s play in Pakistan. Only two wickets fell in the day’s play. Only Day 2 of the 2001 Multan Test saw fewer wickets in a day’s play in Pakistan.