Joe Root becomes first English batter to score 13,000 runs in Tests

England’s Joe Root has achieved a major milestone in Test cricket, becoming the first English player to score 13,000 runs in the longest format of the game.

The historic moment came on Thursday during the opening day of the Test match against Zimbabwe when Root reached the landmark by scoring his 28th run of the innings.

With this achievement, Root became only the fifth player in the world to cross 13,000 runs in Test cricket. More impressively, he now holds the record for being the fastest to reach this milestone, doing so in just his 153rd Test match.

Previously, the record for the quickest to 13,000 Test runs belonged to South Africa’s legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who reached the mark in 159 matches. Other greats such as Rahul Dravid (160 matches), Ricky Ponting (162) and Sachin Tendulkar (163) took longer to achieve the same.

Tendulkar still holds the record for the most runs in Test history, with 15,921 runs in 200 matches.

Meanwhile, England dominated the first day of the Test against Zimbabwe, finishing at 498 for 3. Ben Duckett led the charge with a brilliant 140 while Zak Crawley contributed 124 runs. Root added 34 runs before being dismissed.

At the stumps, Ollie Pope remained not out on 169 and Harry Brook was not out on 9, setting the stage for a massive first-innings total.