Old Trafford, Manchester:
England’s batting maestro Joe Root added another illustrious chapter to his career on Friday by overtaking cricketing greats Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis to become the third highest run scorer in Test cricket history.
Root achieved the milestone during the morning session on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford, Manchester. Entering the match needing just 31 runs to surpass both Dravid and Kallis, the 33-year-old reached the landmark with a signature stroke of elegance against the Indian attack.
Test Runs Milestone – All-Time Leaders
| Position | Player | Country | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 200 | 15,921 |
| 2 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 168 | 13,378 |
| 3 | Joe Root | England | 157* | 13,290* |
| 4 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 166 | 13,289 |
| 5 | Rahul Dravid | India | 164 | 13,288 |
THE MOMENT OF HISTORY 📢
– Root becomes the third Highest run getter in Test Cricket. pic.twitter.com/iV7cMwQJ5N
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 25, 2025
Root, who made his Test debut in December 2012 against India in Nagpur, has now played 157 Test matches. With 37 centuries and 66 half-centuries to his name, Root has become the batting backbone of England’s red-ball team over the past decade.
Root Eyes Second Spot
With 13,290 runs to his name, Root now has his eyes on Ricky Ponting’s second-place tally of 13,378 runs. He needs just 89 more runs in the Manchester Test to move past the Australian legend and become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket. The all-time record continues to be held by India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed 15,921 runs from 200 matches.
First to Score 1,000 Test Runs in Manchester
Before achieving the third spot on the overall run charts, Joe Root also etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player in history to score 1,000 Test runs at Old Trafford, Manchester.
He entered the fourth Test needing 22 runs to reach the 1,000-run milestone at the venue. Root achieved the feat in the 53rd over of England’s first innings, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah.
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Most Test Runs at Old Trafford, Manchester
| Position | Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Average | Best Score | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Root | England | 12 | 1009* | 65.20 | 254 | 1/7 |
| 2 | Denis Compton | England | 8 | 818 | 81.80 | 158 | 3/4 |
| 3 | Mike Atherton | England | 10 | 729 | 40.50 | 131 | 2/3 |
| 4 | Alec Stewart | England | 9 | 704 | 58.66 | 164 | 3/1 |
| 5 | Leonard Hutton | England | 9 | 701 | 50.07 | 104 | 2/4 |
| 6 | Alastair Cook | England | 8 | 685 | 57.08 | 127 | 3/3 |
| 7 | Ken Barrington | England | 6 | 642 | 58.36 | 256 | 1/3 |
| 8 | Ian Bell | England | 7 | 608 | 76.00 | 128 | 2/5 |
| 9 | Michael Vaughan | England | 7 | 607 | 50.58 | 166 | 2/– |
| 10 | Ben Stokes | England | 9 | 579 | 52.63 | 176 | 2/3 |
Root’s consistency at Old Trafford has been remarkable. In his 12 Tests at the venue, he has scored 1 century and 7 half-centuries, including a career-best 254. His average of 65.20 at the ground reflects his command on this pitch, and England will hope for another big innings as they chase a strong position in the ongoing match.
A Milestone-Laden Test for Root
Friday’s play at Old Trafford not only marked another record in Root’s already decorated career but also underscored his status as one of the greatest Test batters of the modern era. With form on his side and the Manchester crowd behind him, the possibility of moving past Ponting’s tally in this very match cannot be ruled out.
As Root continues to scale new heights, he strengthens his legacy among the game’s greatest, all while leading England’s charge in one of the most competitive Test series in recent years.
