Joe Root became the second-leading run scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Ricky Ponting in yet another historic achievement. During the fourth Test of the current five-match series between England and India at Old Trafford, this incredible milestone was reached.
Joe Root advanced to 120* with the single after a guided dab behind point.
Ponting, who played 11 Test matches and one fewer innings than the Australian veteran, set a record with 13378 runs in 168 Tests (287 innings).
Most are run in tests:
Player | Span | Matches | Innings | Runs |
Sachin Tendulkar | 1989-2013 | 200 | 329 | 15921 |
Joe Root | 2012-2025 | 157 | 286 | 13409* |
Ricky Ponting | 1995-2012 | 168 | 287 | 13378 |
Jacques Kallis | 1995-2013 | 166 | 280 | 13289 |
Rahul Dravid | 1996-2012 | 164 | 286 | 13288 |
*effective July 25, 2025
He had made history a long back when he tied Kumar Sangakkara for the most Test tonnes (38) he had scored during his red-ball career. With Root (121* off 201) and Ben Stokes (36* off 68) undefeated in the middle, England is currently ranked at 433/4 in 102 overs. The hosts will try to increase their lead of 75 runs in the upcoming session.
Speaking about the series thus far, Joe Root performances in the first two games were not particularly strong. Only one score of fifty or more was possible for the prolific top-order hitter. At Lord’s, he recovered with a strong 40 and a tonnage of 104. The former English captain will be eager to get the most out of the remaining games in the series because he has already reached his tonne and appears to be well-established at the crease.
Before declaring and bowling out the hosts to perhaps win an innings, England, who already have a 2-1 lead, will try to win by scoring a few quick runs in the rest of the session and the first few hours of Day 4.