A glowing assessment from England teammate Harry Brook regarding Joe Root’s enduring excellence is likely to send a chill down the spines of bowlers across the international cricking landscape.
Brook’s observation that the seasoned campaigner “seems to be improving with time” came on the heels of yet another masterful display from Root, who etched his name further into England’s record books.
In a breathtaking, unbeaten innings of 166 runs against the West Indies in Cardiff, Root surpassed former World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan to claim the title of England’s leading run-scorer in One Day Internationals. This achievement mirrors his standing in Test cricket, where he also holds the distinction of being his nation’s highest run-getter.
Arriving at the crease in the very first over, Root became the linchpin of England’s innings as they navigated a challenging chase of 309. When the side found themselves in a precarious position at 133 for 5, it was Root’s composure and skill that anchored the recovery.
He reached his century in a comfortable 98 deliveries, punctuating the milestone with a stylish six and a boundary. From there, the Yorkshireman shifted gears, forging a decisive 143-run partnership with Will Jacks, leaving the West Indian searching for answers.
“He is incredible, and it’s like he’s only getting better as he gets older,” remarked Brook, who himself contributed valuable 47 and shared an 85-run counter-attacking stand for the third wicket with Root. Brook added, highlighting Root’s influence, “He’s someone I really admire: he’s an outstanding player and a fantastic person. He’s never satisfied and is always striving to improve- he’s the ideal role model for any young cricketer.”
Earlier in his innings, upon reaching 42 runs, Root surpassed Morgan’s career ODI total of 6,957 with typical understatement, Root quipped that the milestone felt like “a sign of getting old.” However, he was quick to assert that his hunger for the format remains strong, even as he acknowledged the considerable distance to Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 18,426 runs.
“As long as I have that desire, that eagerness to turn up and improve every day and contribute to the team- that desire to be not out at the end of a chase like that- when that fire isn’t there anymore soon. I’ll just keep trying to play my part in helping us win series.”
Despite Root’s brilliance, the second ODI saw periods where the West Indies held the upper hand. England’s fielding was uncharacteristically sloppy, with three catches dropped inside the first 20 overs and two run out opportunities missed. Furthermore, the chase stuttered with ducks for Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett and Jos Buttler.
Ultimately, however, Root’s exceptional talent and unwavering focus proved decisive. His 18th ODI century was undoubtedly a master class ranking among the finest of his illustrious career.
Former England fast bowler Steven Finn, stated, “We’re running out of superlatives; he’s constantly achieving new milestones. He’s now in a league of his own, and the innings he played today underlined that. He was so determined to be there at the end, and the way he assessed the situation, absorbed the pressure, and watched wickets fall around him – the West Indies had no answer.” Root’s enduring form and hunger for runs serve as a potent warning to opposition teams worldwide: this modern great is far from finished.
