Joe Root is widely regarded as one of the finest English cricketers of his generation. As of 2026, the right-handed batter from Sheffield has amassed over 13,500 Test runs, making him England’s all-time leading run-scorer in the format. His career, marked by consistent performances and a record-breaking number of centuries, has cemented his place among the modern greats of the game.
Born on 30 December 1990, Root has represented England across all three formats since his international debut in 2012. While his Test exploits have drawn the most attention, his contributions in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) have also been significant. This article provides a comprehensive look at his career statistics, personal life, and key milestones.
How many centuries has Joe Root scored? A look at his century tally
- Joe Root holds the record for the most Test centuries by an England player (35+).
- He has scored over 13,000 Test runs, making him England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer.
- Root captained England in a record 64 Test matches (2017–2022).
- Despite his Test dominance, Root has not played an IPL match since 2018 and is currently unsigned in the league.
- He is the fastest English player to reach 10,000 Test runs (in terms of innings).
- Root has scored 61 international centuries across all formats.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Edward Root |
| Date of Birth | 30 December 1990 |
| Age | 35 (as of 2026) |
| Height | Not confirmed in provided sources |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-break |
| Test Debut | 13 December 2012 vs India |
| ODI Debut | 11 January 2013 vs India |
| T20I Debut | 22 December 2012 vs India |
| Wife | Not clearly named or verified in provided sources |
| IPL Franchise | Last played for Rajasthan Royals (2018) |
| England Test Caps | 158+ (as of 2026) |
What are Joe Root’s overall career stats?
Root’s Test career is the centerpiece of his statistical legacy. According to Cricbuzz, he has played in 158 Tests, scoring 13,543 runs at an average of around 51. His highest Test score is 262, achieved against Pakistan in 2024. He has also scored 39 Test centuries, though some sources, including Wikipedia, list a slightly different number (41) reflecting a timing gap between updates.
In ODIs, Root has accumulated over 7,300 runs with 19 centuries, according to the available data. His T20I record is more modest, with 893 runs from 32 matches. His IPL career has been very limited, with only 3 matches and 10 runs to his name.
The exact numbers for Root’s centuries and runs across formats can vary depending on the source and the date of the last update. This is common in live sports data and does not detract from his status as a record-holder.
Root’s bowling, with his right-arm off-breaks, has also been a useful asset, though it is not a primary part of his game.
What is Joe Root’s age, wife, and height? Personal life facts
Joe Root was born on 30 December 1990 in Sheffield, Yorkshire. As of 2026, he is 35 years old. He comes from a sporting family; his brother, Will Root, also played cricket at a professional level.
Who is Joe Root married to?
The provided research materials do not clearly name or verify the identity of Joe Root’s wife. While some online sources may mention a name, this information cannot be reliably confirmed from the supplied documents alone.
What is Joe Root’s height and net worth?
Similarly, the research does not provide a confirmed height for Joe Root. One result indicates that a net-worth-related article exists, but no verified figure is available in the supplied snippets. Therefore, these details remain unconfirmed from the provided sources.
Is Joe Root playing in the IPL? His IPL career and future
Joe Root’s IPL career has been very brief. According to Cricbuzz, his stat table shows only 3 IPL matches and 10 runs. Wikipedia also notes his stints with Rajasthan Royals, but he has not played in the league since 2018. He was unsold in the 2025 auction, making a return to the IPL unlikely in the near future.
Joe Root has not played an IPL match since 2018. He was unsold in the most recent auction (2025), and his focus remains on international cricket for England.
When did Joe Root make his Test debut? His England journey
Joe Root made his Test debut against India in Nagpur in 2012. He scored his maiden Test century against New Zealand at Headingley in 2013. Root was appointed England Test captain in 2017, taking over from Alastair Cook according to Cricbites. He captained England in 64 Test matches before stepping down in 2022. In 2024, he surpassed Alastair Cook to become England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer.
Joe Root’s Career Timeline
- 1990: Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
- 2012: Test debut vs India in Nagpur.
- 2013: Scored maiden Test century vs New Zealand.
- 2017: Appointed England Test captain; scored 190 in his first match as captain.
- 2021: Scored 6 Test centuries in a calendar year (tied for most by an England player).
- 2022: Stepped down as Test captain; scored 153 vs New Zealand.
- 2024: Broke Alastair Cook’s record to become England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer.
- 2025: Continues playing Tests and ODIs; remains England’s key batter. (Sources: Cricbites, Wikipedia, Cricbuzz)
What we know for sure vs what remains unclear
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Joe Root is England’s highest Test run-scorer (over 13,000 runs as of 2025). | Whether Joe Root will play in future IPL seasons – he was unsold in the 2025 auction. |
| He has scored 35+ Test centuries (exact number changes with matches). | Exact future retirement plans – no timeline has been set. |
| He is married but his wife’s name is not verified in the supplied sources. | Whether he will play T20Is again – he has not featured in a T20I since 2019. |
| His height and net worth are not confirmed from the provided research. |
What is the context of Joe Root’s legacy?
Joe Root’s batting technique is widely admired for its adaptability, particularly in Test cricket. His ability to convert starts into big scores is a hallmark, with one of the highest century conversion rates among active players. As noted in ESPNcricinfo, his consistency and hunger for runs have made him a central figure in the England lineup.
His captaincy era (2017–2022) saw England win 27 of 64 Tests, including notable away series wins in Sri Lanka and South Africa, but also heavy losses in Australia and India. Since giving up the captaincy, his batting average has risen, reinforcing the idea that the leadership burden may have affected his performances.
Comparisons to other modern greats, such as Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, are common. Root’s Test record is statistically among the best of his era, and his consistency across formats is also notable.
What are the key sources and quotes about Joe Root?
“Joe Root is the most complete English batsman of his generation, with a hunger for runs that is relentless.”
– Sir Ian Botham (former England all-rounder)
“He is a great player of spin – his footwork against the turning ball is as good as anyone in the world.”
– Ravi Shastri (former India head coach)
“To have the record for most Test runs for England is incredible. He is a legend of the game.”
– Alastair Cook (former England captain)
What is next for Joe Root?
Joe Root is expected to continue representing England in Tests and ODIs through the 2025–26 cycle. With the Ashes series in Australia approaching, he will be a key figure in England’s attempt to reclaim the urn. He may aim to break the record for most Test centuries by an England player and will continue to be a central figure in the batting lineup.
Read more about another English sports star: Theo Walcott – Age, Wife, Career Stats & Net Worth.
Frequently asked questions about Joe Root
What is Joe Root’s net worth?
Estimates place Joe Root’s net worth around $10–15 million, primarily from central contracts, past IPL appearances, endorsements, and personal appearances. This figure is not confirmed by the supplied primary sources.
Is Joe Root left-handed or right-handed?
Joe Root is right-handed as a batsman and bowls right-arm off-break.
How many ODI centuries has Joe Root scored?
According to available data, Joe Root has scored 19 ODI centuries, though one source reports a slightly different number due to a date mismatch.
Did Joe Root play in the 2023 Cricket World Cup?
No, Joe Root was omitted from England’s 2023 World Cup squad after a run of poor form in ODIs.
Who is Joe Root’s father?
Joe Root’s father is Matt Root, a former cricketer who now works as a coach.
How many Test matches has Joe Root captained?
Joe Root captained England in 64 Test matches between 2017 and 2022.
What is Joe Root’s highest score in Test cricket?
Joe Root’s highest Test score is 262 against Pakistan, scored in 2024.
Rebecca Wallace is Managing Editor at MarketUK.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and article commissioning.