Joe Root: Backbone of English cricket
It is imperial to have a good technique to dominate at the highest level. A batsman needs a solid skill set to become a renounced player at international stage. Today, in this article by ZAP cricket, we will talk about one of the most technically sound batsman of this generation- Joe Root.
He is a right handed batsman and a right arm off break bowler. He is one of the ‘Fab Four’. Others are: Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith
Early life and domestic cricket of Joe Root
Born on 30 December, 1990 (Present age 33 years), Root attended Dore Primary School and King Ecgbert School. He played domestic cricket for Yorkshire and scored truckloads of runs for them. In 2011, he made his debut in County Championship and subsequently led the team as well.
His brother, Billy Root also plays cricket at the domestic level. Both of them used to practice together but eventually it was Joe who was more consistent in the domestic circuit.
International career of Joe Root
Root made his Test debut on 13 December, 2012 vs India, ODI debut on 11 January, 2013 vs India and T20I debut on 22 December, 2012 vs India. Since his first game, he has been a key player of England’s side. One of the reasons for that is his consistency in all the three departments, that is, batting, bowling and fielding.
As a batsman, he has a solid technique and an even solid mindset. As a bowler, he can deliver quick economical spells. And, as a fielder, he holds the ability to change the course of game with his sharp catches.
Root has also led the national team for few years. He replaced Alaistar Cook and became England’s 80th captain. Subsequently he led in other formats as well.
International stats of Joe Root
|
Format |
Tests |
ODI |
T20I |
|
Matches |
150 |
171 |
32 |
|
Runs scored |
12,777 |
6,522 |
893 |
|
Batting average |
50.90 |
47.60 |
35.72 |
|
100s/50s |
35/64 |
16/39 |
0/5 |
|
Best score |
263 |
133* |
90* |
|
Wickets |
70 |
27 |
6 |
|
Bowling average |
45.77 |
58.77 |
23.16 |
|
Best bowling figures |
5/8 |
3/52 |
2/9 |
International centuries against different opponents
|
Opponents |
Test |
ODI |
T20I |
|
Australia |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bangladesh |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
India |
10 |
3 |
0 |
|
New Zealand |
5 |
3 |
0 |
|
Pakistan |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
South Africa |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Sri Lanka |
6 |
2 |
0 |
|
West Indies |
6 |
4 |
0 |
|
Total |
35 |
16 |
0 |
Awards and Recognitions of Joe Root
- In 2018, he was named in country’s greatest all time Test XI by England and Wales Cricket Board
- ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year in 2021
- ICC Test Team of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2023
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2014
- ICC ODI Team of the Year: 2015, 2018
- Appointed as Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2020 New Year Honours for services to cricket
- Won 2019 Cricket World Cup and was top scorer for England then
- Topped ICC rankings on nine occasions
- Holds the record for most Test and ODI centuries for England
- Captained national team between 2017 and 2022
- Most successful test captain of England
Key matchups
|
Match ups |
Runs |
Outs |
|
Joe Root vs R Ashwin |
538 |
9 |
|
Joe Root vs Mitchell Starc |
467 |
11 |
|
Joe Root vs Jasprit Bumrah |
333 |
13 |
|
Joe Root vs Pat Cummins |
340 |
14 |
Joe Root in franchise cricket
Joe Root has taken part in various franchise leagues but for a brief period of time. In 2018/19 Big Bash League season, he played for Sydney Thunders and in 2023 IPL, he was bought by Rajasthan Royals. However, he is a regular participant in The Hundred as he has been playing for Trent Rockets since 2021. Recently, he was also picked in Paarl Royals’s squad in SA20 league.
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