England captain Joe Root continued to rewrite the record books on Thursday, becoming the first player to score 3,000 runs as captain in the World Test Championship (WTC).
At the same time, the veteran batter moved closer to one of Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing Test records.
Root, 35, now needs just one more half-century to equal Tendulkar’s tally of 68 Test fifties. The England right-hander has scored 67 half-centuries in 167 Tests, while Tendulkar finished his legendary career with 68 fifties in 200 matches.
Root Becomes First Captain to Score 3,000 WTC Runs
Root reached the landmark during the second day of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. He had resumed his innings on Thursday needing 42 runs to complete 3,000 WTC runs as captain after finishing the opening day unbeaten on 37.
The England skipper achieved the milestone during the second session, scoring the five runs he needed after lunch.
Root returned as England’s Test captain after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket in June 2026. He has now accumulated 3,000 runs in 34 WTC matches as captain, establishing himself as the leading run-scorer in the competition in the role.
Stokes is second on the list with 2,182 runs, while former Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne follows with 2,160 runs.
Root Also Closing in on Ricky Ponting’s Record
Root is chasing another major milestone in Test cricket. He needs just 37 more runs to overtake Australia great Ricky Ponting for the most runs scored in home Tests.
Root currently has 7,542 runs from 88 home Tests, while Ponting amassed 7,578 runs in 92 matches.
With both Tendulkar’s record for Test half-centuries and Ponting’s home Test run tally within reach, Root continues to strengthen his credentials as one of the most prolific Test batters of his generation.