England captain and prominent player Joe Root has reached a new significant milestone in his illustrious career. He has become the highest scorer in home Test cricket matches, surpassing the great Australian player Ricky Ponting.
During a Test match against Pakistan at Lord's, Root scored 24 runs in the second innings for England before being dismissed by Mohammad Ali via LBW. However, these 24 runs were enough to propel him to the top of the record holders list. Root now has 7594 runs in Tests in England, while Ponting scored 7578 runs in Australia.
In England, Root has played 89 Tests in 156 innings, accumulating 7594 runs at an average of 53.85. During this time, he registered 24 centuries and 35 half-centuries, with his best score being 254 runs. Ricky Ponting played 92 Tests in 154 innings in Australia, scoring 7578 runs at an average of 56.97; he had 23 centuries and 38 half-centuries, and his highest score in home Tests reached 257 runs.
Following Root and Ponting in the leaders are Sachin Tendulkar and Mahela Jayawardene from Sri Lanka, as well as Jacques Kallis from South Africa.
Joe Root is approaching Sachin Tendulkar's overall record for runs scored in Test cricket. Currently, Root has 14208 runs in 168 Tests, whereas the 'God of Cricket' Tendulkar scored 15921 runs in his career, meaning Root trails by 1713 runs.
Root's record was set during the second Test against Pakistan, when England had already solidified its position. Due to rain and poor visibility on the third day (August 29), only 24.5 overs were bowled. By the end of the day, England had scored 177 runs for the loss of 7 wickets, increasing their lead to 357 runs.
Dan Lawrence and Ollie Robinson are on 2 runs without being out. England scored 290 runs in the first innings, to which the entire Pakistan team managed only 110 runs. England also won the first Test series by more than 103 runs.