Wed Oct 09 11:22:00 UTC 2024: ## Root Surpasses Cook, Eyes Top Run-Scorers in Historic Test Performance
**Karachi, Pakistan:** England’s Joe Root has climbed to the fifth position in the all-time Test run-scorers list, surpassing the legendary Alastair Cook during the ongoing third day of the first Test against Pakistan. The feat also establishes Root as England’s highest Test run-scorer in history.
Root achieved this milestone in a match where England faced a monumental task of regaining control after Pakistan declared their innings at a mammoth 556 runs. Key partnerships with Jack Crawley and Ben Duckett helped England avoid the follow-on, but it was Root’s 71st run of the innings, a boundary that propelled him to 12,473 runs, that surpassed Cook’s record of 12,472 runs.
With this remarkable achievement, Root has set his sights on the next rung of the ladder. He is currently only 800 runs behind Rahul Dravid (13,288 runs), with Jacques Kallis (13,289 runs) just one run ahead. With a potential schedule including two Tests in Pakistan, three in New Zealand, a five-match home series against India, and a lone Test against Zimbabwe, Root could potentially move up to the third spot by the end of the summer of 2025, assuming his current scoring rate continues.
If he maintains his form, he is expected to overtake both Dravid and Kallis during the 2025/26 Ashes series. Moving further up the list, Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs) is 89 runs ahead of Kallis. Root has 16 Test matches scheduled within the timeframe of the 2025/26 Ashes, giving him a real shot at surpassing Ponting as well.
Root’s career average stands at a commendable 50 runs, which he has consistently surpassed in the past two years. Based on his current form, barring any injuries or significant dips, surpassing Ponting during the Ashes seems likely.
The question remains: can Root challenge Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 runs? The gap between Ponting and Tendulkar stands at 2,543 runs. With Root turning 35 during the next Ashes series, closing this gap appears to be an extremely tough challenge. Based on his current run rate, Root would need approximately 40 more Test matches to break Tendulkar’s record.
The ICC Future Tours Programme indicates that England is likely to play over 12 Tests per year, potentially giving Root around 28 matches between now and the end of 2026. To achieve this ambitious feat, Root would have to continue playing until the end of 2027, turning 37 years old.
However, it’s worth noting that English batsmen rarely compete in Test cricket after turning 36. The demanding nature of England’s international cricket schedule makes this feat challenging. James Anderson’s successful career, extending until the age of 41, proves that with careful planning, continued success at the highest level is possible.
Only time will tell whether Joe Root can achieve the seemingly impossible and dethrone the “God of Cricket” himself.
First Piper 