PAK v ENG: First Test, Joe Root beomes the leading run-scorer for England in Tests

By Karan Rawat

Posted: October 9, 2024
Last updated: January 24, 2025

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Joe Root on Wednesday surpassed Sir Alistair Cook as the leading run-scorer for England in Tests here in Multan in the first Test against Pakistan. He overtook the former England captain on his way to a 72 not out against Pakistan on Day 3 at Lunch. He now has 12474 runs and counting. Cook retired with 12472 runs in 161 Tests.

Earlier in the year, he had already become the Englishman with the most Test centuries as he got back-back hundreds against Sri Lanka at home. Now Root has the best average amongst the top 5 run-getters for England, the most centuries and the most half-centuries.

Most runs for England in Tests

Player	Mat	Inns	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50
JE Root	147*	268	12474	254	50.91	34	65
AN Cook	161	291	12472	294	45.35	33	57
GA Gooch	118	215	8900	333	42.58	20	46
AJ Stewart	133	235	8463	190	39.54	15	45

Most runs in Test cricket: overall

Sachin Tendulkar has the most runs in Test cricket, 15921. He also has the most centuries; 51. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting is second on the list followed by former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis and the former India coach and captain Rahul Dravid. Joe Root now sits at the fifth position on the overall runs tally.

Player	Mat	Inns	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50
Sachin Tendulkar	200	329	15921	248*	53.78	51	68
R Ponting	168	287	13378	257	51.85	41	62
J Kallis	166	280	13289	224	55.37	45	58
R Dravid	164	286	13288	270	52.31	36	63
JE Root	147*	268	12474	254	50.91	34	65