Joe Root became the first batsman in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC) to reach the milestone of 6,000 runs. The veteran England batsman reached the milestone on the fourth day of the series-deciding Test against India at The Oval.
Root reached 28 runs in the 40th over of England’s second innings by hitting a boundary off Mohammad Siraj. This shot took him to 6000 runs in the WTC. Root, who scored 29 runs in the first innings, needed just 25 runs in the second innings to achieve this feat.
Root is the only batsman in the history of the Test Championship to reach the 6000-run milestone. This was his 69th WTC match. He is followed by Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Stokes and Travis Head respectively. The English batsman’s run includes 20 centuries and 22 half-centuries, while his average is over 52.
Not only this milestone, Root has also achieved some other personal achievements in the ongoing India series. In the Manchester Test, he became the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, surpassing Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting. He also became the joint-fourth highest Test century scorer, joining Kumar Sangakkara’s 38 centuries.
England are currently leading the series 2-1. The hosts are chasing a tough target to win the final Test. Root scored 105 runs in this innings before retiring. England need 35 runs to win on the fifth day of the Oval Test, with 4 wickets in hand.
FAQ
What is the ICC World Test Championship?
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is a league competition for Test cricket, introduced to give more context and meaning to bilateral Test series.
Has Joe Root really scored 6000 runs in the WTC?
Yes, Joe Root has accumulated 6000 runs in Test matches played during the World Test Championship era, including both WTC cycles.
How many centuries has Root scored in the WTC period?
Root has scored multiple centuries during the WTC cycles, with many of them coming in crucial matches against top teams like India, Australia, and South Africa.
Is Root the highest run-scorer in the WTC?
As of now, Joe Root is among the top scorers in the WTC, and his total of 6000 runs across WTC matches is a record.