England batsman Joe Root finally overcame the one major hurdle remaining in his career, bringing up his maiden Test century in Australia. In the run-up to the 2025-2026 Ashes, much of the talk has focused on whether Root will finally end his century drought Down Under. The England stalwart needed just three innings to silence the debate, producing a phenomenal knock of 138 off 206 balls in the first innings of the second Test in Brisbane.
With these innings, he removed the only blemish on an extraordinary Test career that has reached even greater heights in the post-Covid era. As of 2021, Root is in a league of his own, amassing 5,866 runs at an average of 56.95, including 23 centuries and 17 fifties. From his debut in 2012 to the end of 2020, he has scored 7,823 runs from 97 matches (177 innings) at an average of 47.99. Joe Root celebrates a hundred at the Gabba. (AP photo)
While Root was consistent with his bat during his first eight years, his conversion rate during this period was a major concern, with 17 hundreds and 49 fifties. Since then, Root has improved dramatically, hitting 23 centuries and 17 half-centuries – a substantial shift in converting starts into big scores.
Over the past 12 months, the England star has climbed up the list of leading Test run-scorers and is now second in elite company. Root is now only behind Sachin Tendulkar, effectively competing with him to become the most prolific run-scorer in Test history. Root’s tally of 13,704 runs leaves him just 2,217 short of Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 and is widely expected to surpass it in the next three years.
Where is Root missing?
But when Root finally reaches that milestone, the debate turns to whether he has earned the title of THE GOAT of Test cricket. Tendulkar has built his reputation on remarkable consistency around the world, averaging over 40 in every country he has played in a Test – a unique achievement that speaks to his longevity and adaptability.
But Root’s record in Australia has long been a weak spot. Although his century in Brisbane improved his numbers, there is still a significant portion of the Ashes series to play with England trailing 0–2. Throughout the history of cricket, players have cemented their legendary status by going up against their fiercest opponents – whether it was Don Bradman or Steve Waugh plaguing England or Steve Smith piling on the run in modern times.
While Root boasts phenomenal career numbers, he hasn’t really dominated Australia – home or away. His struggles in Australia in particular remain a notable blemish on his otherwise excellent CV. Sachin Tendulkar has the most runs in the history of international cricket. (Photo by Reuters)
Can England’s star change the story?
That means with three matches remaining in the current series and Root seemingly rediscovering his rhythm, the England star has an opportunity to rewrite his record on the toughest ground with a sequence of commanding innings. If he did, he would leave little room for critics to question his greatness. But if he falls short of his own exceptionally high standards, the debate about his ‘GOAT’ will surely continue even if – and when – he breaks Tendulkar’s scoring record.
Ultimately, Root’s legacy will not be defined by stats alone, but by how he shapes England’s fortunes in the wildest theater of all – the Ashes. Runs in Australia carry a weight unmatched anywhere else, and Root now has the perfect stage to elevate himself from a modern-day great to an undisputed all-time legend. A commanding finish to that series would not only silence longstanding critics, but also cement his status as one of the best batsmen the game has seen.
– The end
Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
December 8, 2025
Tune in
