Joe Root First Englishman Reaches 23,000 International Runs
Joe Root First Englishman Reaches 23,000 International Runs
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Key Points
1
Root’s ODI record includes 20 centuries, and his batting average in the format is currently higher than his Test average—an indication that his limited-overs achievements have sometimes been overlooked.
2
Despite his overall international standing, Root has not played a T20I in more than seven years; across 32 T20 internationals, he has scored 893 runs and is not a prominent figure in franchise T20 cricket.
3
Root reached the 23,000-run mark in his 394th international match, according to one report, while the milestone came in his 521st international innings.
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The ODI series against Sri Lanka was framed as preparation for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, after England had won the preceding T20I series 3-0.
Joe Root became the first English batter and eighth player overall in international cricket history to reach 23,000 runs during England's ODI opener against Sri Lanka at Riverside Ground in Durham on September 22. Tapsmad reports that Root achieved this milestone in his 521st international innings, making him the second-quickest to the mark behind India's Virat Kohli and ahead of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
The achievement caps a remarkable international career spanning multiple formats. Root has scored 14,278 Test runs and 7,826 ODI runs. Sunday Guardian Live notes he also made his 100th ODI appearance on English soil, becoming only the second England batter to reach that milestone after Eoin Morgan.
Root's Dominance Across Test and ODI Formats
Root's 23,000-run milestone underscores his consistency across cricket's longest and shortest formats. His ODI record includes 20 centuries with a batting average higher than his Test average. India.com reports this shows his limited-overs achievements have sometimes been overlooked despite their significance.
He sits just 1,643 Test runs behind Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,921 runs. England's next-highest international run-scorer, Alastair Cook, has 15,737 runs. This places Root firmly among cricket's all-time greats in run-scoring.
Second-Fastest to 23,000 Runs Behind Kohli
Root's path to 23,000 runs proved remarkably swift. Daily Hunt reports he reached the milestone in 521 international innings, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's pace to the mark. Only Virat Kohli reached the figure faster among all international cricketers.
This ranking places Root ahead of other modern greats including Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara. The second-fastest achievement highlights Root's consistency and productivity across all formats during his international career.
Limited T20 International Role in Career
Despite his dominance in Test and ODI cricket, Root has not played T20 international cricket in more than seven years. Across 32 T20 internationals, he scored just 893 runs total. He is not a prominent fixture in franchise T20 competitions.
This contrasts sharply with his success in longer formats. The England star's international legacy will largely be defined by his Test and ODI achievements rather than his contributions to Twenty20 cricket.
Building Toward 2027 World Cup in Southern Africa
Root's 23,000-run milestone came as England prepares for the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Sunday Guardian Live notes the Sri Lanka ODI series serves as crucial preparation for that tournament after England won the preceding T20I series 3-0.
At 33 years old, Root remains central to England's plans for the next World Cup cycle. His consistency and experience across formats make him a vital player as England rebuilds following recent competitive challenges.
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