Joe Root is one of the best Test batters of his time. The right handed batter has been England’s mainstay since his debut. The former England captain has been exceptional in international cricket, particularly in Test cricket. Among the active cricketers, Root is the only batter to have scored over 11000 runs in the longest format of the game. The 32-year-old has played some exceptional innings in his Test career till now. Here are some of his top knocks in Test Cricket.
1. 142* against India in Birmingham 2022
India, being forced to bat first, scored 416 in their first innings. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja scored hundred for India. Replying to it, England managed to score only 284. In the second innings, England restricted India to a score of 245. With a first innings lead of 132 runs, the target was 378 for the home side. The openers laid a good platform for England by scoring 107 runs for the first wicket. But soon, India clawed their way back in the game by picking 3 wickets in quick succession. England required 269 more runs with 7 wickets in hand. Joined by Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root played some exquisite shots on his way to an exceptional Test ton. Root’s unbeaten 142*(173) helped England to chase down the mammoth total of 378 by 7 wickets.
2. 153* and 95 against New Zealand in Wellington 2023
On an overcast morning, England was forced to bat first by New Zealand. The green surface helped the bowlers to get the required movement. As a result, England found themselves at 21/3 in no time. Harry Brook joined Joe Root and the duo played a memorable rescue act by their aggressive batting. While Harry Brook was on a different level, Root held the other end by his calculative approach in the game. The two batters in the middle were involved for a magnificent 302-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Joe Root scored an unbeaten 153*(224) before his captain declared the innings.
England ended up scoring 435 in the first innings after being reduced to 21/3 at one point of time. New Zealand were dismissed for just 209 in the first innings. England enforced the follow-on and New Zealand scored 483 in the second innings. The target for England was 258, a tricky one. England was in trouble yet again, as they lost Harry Brook and found themselves at 80/5. Root played an exceptional knock of 95(113) and took England closer to the target. Unfortunately, his wicket cost England the game, as New Zealand won the Test by just one run.
3. 218 against India in Chennai 2021
Playing his 100th Test, Root was in terrific form with the lead up to the Test, having scored a double hundred and 186 in his previous two Tests. Against a much better opponent, against a much better attack, and on a much bigger occasion, Root scored a fabulous double hundred in his 100th Test. The star batter from England became the only batter to score a double hundred on the 100th Test. The classy batter also became the only batter to score a hundred in each of 98th, 99th, and 100th Test of an individual.