Joe Root eyes three big milestones during three-match test series against Sri Lanka

Joe Root was the leading run-scorer in England’s last test series against West Indies.

Former England captain Joe Root will be eyeing three huge milestones during the upcoming three-match test series against Sri Lanka. The exciting series will be played from August 21 to September 10.

Ranked at the top of the ICC test ranking, Root is in red-hot form. In the recently concluded three-match test series against the West Indies, the 33-year-old was the highest run-getter of the series. Root amassed 291 runs at an impressive average of 72.75, including one century and two half-centuries to his name. During the West Indies test series, Root also completed 12,000 runs in the longest format.

Several cricket pundits believe that Root could shatter Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most runs in test cricket in the future. Tendulkar amassed 15,921 in 200 test matches.

Three milestones Joe Root can reach during the test series against Sri Lanka:

1. Most runs for England against Sri Lanka in tests

The 33-year-old Joe Root will have a chance to break former England captain Alastair Cook’s record of most runs by an English batter against Sri Lanka in test cricket. Cook played 16 matches against Sri Lanka and amassed 1290 runs; Root has smashed 1001 runs in 10 outings till now.

Most runs by an English batter against Sri Lanka in tests:

• Alastair Cook: 1290 runs
• Joe Root: 1001* runs
• Marcus Trescothick: 957 runs
• Kevin Pietersen: 874 runs

2. Most runs for England in test cricket

The right-handed batter Root will also have a chance to shatter another Cook’s record of becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer in test cricket.

Cook ended his test career with 12472 runs in 161 outings and Root sits at 12027 runs to his name in 143 tests. He needs 446 more runs to overtake Cook.

Most runs for England in tests:

• Alastair Cook – 12,472 runs
• Joe Root – 12,027* runs
• Graham Gooch – 8900 runs
• Alec Stewart – 8463 runs
• David Gower – 8231 runs

3. First player to reach 5000 runs in World Test Championship (WTC)

Against Sri Lanka, Root will have a chance to become the first batter to cross the 5000-run landmark in the World Test Championship (WTC), which began in 2019.

The 33-year-old has scored 4598 runs in 55 WTC matches so far. Root needs 402 more runs to reach the 5000-run milestone in WTC. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne is in the second place with 3904 runs.

Most runs in WTC:

• Joe Root (England) – 4598* runs
• Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) – 3904* runs
• Steve Smith (Australia) – 3486* runs
• Ben Stokes (England) – 3101* runs
• Usman Khawaja (Australia) – 2686* runs

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.