England batsman Joe Root has lastly crossed the one main hurdle remaining in his profession, citing his maiden Take a look at century in Australia. Within the build-up to the Ashes 2025–26, a lot of the chatter centered on whether or not Root would lastly finish his century drought Down Below. The England stalwart wanted solely three innings to silence the dialogue, producing an outstanding knock of 138 off 206 balls within the first innings of the second Take a look at in Brisbane.
With that innings, he eliminated the one blemish on what has been a rare Take a look at profession, one which has reached even better heights within the post-Covid period. Since 2021, Root has been working in a league of his personal, amassing 5,866 runs at a median of 56.95, together with 23 centuries and 17 fifties. Between his debut in 2012 and the top of 2020, he had scored 7,823 runs from 97 matches (177 innings) at a median of 47.99.
Whereas Root was constant together with his bat throughout his first eight years, his conversion charge throughout that interval was a serious concern, with 17 a whole bunch and 49 fifties. Since then, Root has improved dramatically, notching 23 centuries and 17 half-centuries — a considerable shift in changing begins into large scores.
Over the previous 12 months, the England star has climbed the listing of main Take a look at run-scorers and now sits secondin elite firm. Root is now behind solely Sachin Tendulkar, with whom he successfully competes to change into probably the most prolific run-scorer in Take a look at historical past. Root’s tally of 13,704 runs leaves him simply 2,217 in need of Tendulkar’s document of 15,921, and he’s broadly anticipated to surpass it throughout the subsequent three years.
The place does Root lack?
Nevertheless, when Root finally achieves this milestone, the talk will flip as to whether he has earned the title of the GOAT of Take a look at cricket. Tendulkar constructed his popularity on outstanding consistency internationally, averaging over 40 in each nation the place he performed a Take a look at — a singular achievement that is testomony to his longevity and adaptableness.
Root’s document in Australia, nevertheless, has lengthy been a weak spot. Though his century in Brisbane has improved his numbers, there may be nonetheless a good portion of the Ashes collection to play, with England trailing 0–2. All through cricketing historical past, gamers have cemented their legendary standing by performing towards their fiercest rivals — whether or not it was Don Bradman or Steve Waugh tormenting England, or Steve Smith piling on the runs within the trendy period.
Whereas Root boasts phenomenal profession numbers, he hasn’t actually dominated Australia — whether or not at residence or away. His struggles in Australia, specifically, stay a notable blemish on his in any other case excellent resume.
Can England star change the narrative?
That stated, with three matches nonetheless remaining within the present collection and Root seemingly rediscovering his rhythm, the England star has the chance to rewrite his document within the hardest terrain with a sequence of commanding innings. Ought to he accomplish that, he would depart little room for critics to query his greatness. But when he falls in need of his personal exceptionally excessive requirements, the talk over his ‘GOAT’ credentials is for certain to proceed, even when — and when — he surpasses Tendulkar’s run-scoring document.
Finally, Root’s legacy won’t be outlined by statistics alone however by how he shapes England’s fortunes within the fiercest theater of all — the Ashes. Runs in Australia carry a weight unmatched anyplace else, and Root now has the right stage to raise himself from a contemporary nice to an undisputed all-time legend. A commanding end to this collection wouldn’t solely silence long-standing criticism but in addition reinforce his standing as one of many best batters the sport has seen.
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