Star England batter Joe Root surpassed West Indian legend Brian Lara to become the seventh-highest run-getter in Test cricket on the morning of Day 2 of the third Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston. Entering the match just 14 runs shy of Lara’s career total of 11,953 runs, Root, who was unbeaten on 2* at stumps on Day 1, took time to settle in. In the 14th over of England’s first innings, he deftly nudged a delivery from Jayden Seales to surpass Lara’s tally, marking yet another significant achievement in his illustrious career.
Root’s journey to this milestone was not without drama. In the 10th over, an LBW decision off Seales’ bowling was not reviewed by the West Indies, a decision that proved costly as replays suggested Root would have been dismissed had the review been taken. Root, a pillar of England’s batting lineup, began this series as the 10th-highest run-getter in Test cricket. In the first Test at Lord’s, he had limited opportunities, batting only once. However, in the second Test at Trent Bridge, he climbed past Sri Lankan great Mahela Jayawardene and fellow West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul with a stellar performance, which included his 32nd Test century.
After a brief lull, former England captain Joe Root has regained his form in Test cricket. In the current three-match series against the West Indies at home, he is the leading run-scorer, having notched up a century and a fifty so far. Many cricketing greats and experts believe that Root has the potential to become the all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket. With 32 centuries and 62 fifties to his name, his record speaks for itself. Root also holds the records for the most runs and centuries in World Test Championship history.
