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Joe Root, the batting virtuoso for England, achieved yet another significant milestone by being the fastest player to reach 13,000 runs in Test cricket history. The 34-year-old reached the milestone in just his 153rd Test match and 279th innings on the first day of England's one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. The match began on Thursday, May 22, 2025, and Root reached the mark during the opening day's play. He surpassed the previous record set by Jacques Kallis, who reached the mark in 159 Tests.
He has now become the fifth hitter in Test cricket history to reach the 13,000-run mark. Root's accomplishment puts him in an elite group. He now joins the illustrious Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Sachin Tendulkar group. Root has been a constant in England's Test setup for more than ten years.
Though his 34-run knock off 44 balls may not be his most flashy performance, but it was historic. Root clipped a delivery off his pads to bring up the milestone, earning a rousing ovation from the Nottingham crowd. His teammates and coaching staff rose in unison to celebrate the moment, acknowledging the magnitude of the achievement.
"It's a privilege to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the greatest players the game has seen," Root said after the day's play. "But for me, it's about contributing to England wins and helping the team succeed. Records are nice, but victories mean more.”
The day belonged to England from the outset, as openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett laid a dominant foundation with an explosive 212-run stand. Duckett was the first to reach his century, blazing his way to 140 before falling to pacer Richard Ngarava. Crawley followed soon after with a well-composed 124. Their efforts gave England a solid platform, allowing the middle order to attack freely.
Then, with an undefeated 169, Ollie Pope carried on the assault, leading England to a commanding 498 for 3 by stumps. Zimbabwe has an enormous challenge before of them in the rest of the game.
For Joe Root, the next personal targets are Rahul Dravid's 13,288 and Ricky Ponting's 13,378 runs. While Sachin Tendulkar's iconic record of 15,921 Test runs still seems large but his current form and age suggest that he could realistically challenge it in the coming years.
Root's leadership and experience will be essential as they get ready for a five-match home series against India that begins on June 20. With a busy schedule that includes the 2026 Ashes, England's batting lineup seems to be in good hands.
Joe Root's achievement of 13,000 runs is proof of his dedication, perseverance, and ability to perform effectively under pressure. He is now considered a modern-day legend and one of the best cricket players of all time.
