Is Joe Root the Greatest English Cricketer of All Time?

England’s cricket history is packed with giants like Ian Botham, Alec Stewart, Mike Gatting, Michael Vaughan, Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan, and Kevin Pietersen, all of whom have lit up the game with their talent. But Joe Root? He’s arguably outshone them all, piling up more runs than anyone for England in both Test and ODI cricket, earning his place as one of the game’s true greats. His genius was crystal clear in the 2nd ODI against West Indies in Cardiff on June 1, 2025, where he steered England to a nail-biting 3-wicket win, wrapping up the series 2-0.

West Indies batted first, racking up 308 all out in 47.4 overs. Keacy Carty’s classy 103 off 105, with 13 fours, held things together, backed by Brandon King’s 59 and Shai Hope’s quick 78, smashing four sixes. A big 141-run stand between Carty and King set a strong foundation, but England’s bowlers clawed back. Adil Rashid’s 4/63 and Saqib Mahmood’s 3/37, including Hope’s wicket, sparked a collapse, with West Indies losing eight wickets for just 103 runs. Chasing 309, England wobbled at 2/2, losing Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett for ducks.

Enter Joe Root. He played a blinder, staying not out on 166 off 139 balls, stroking 21 fours and a couple of sixes with pure class. Harry Brook’s fiery 47 off 36 gave an early spark, while Will Jacks’ 49 off 58 built a vital 137-run partnership with Root. Alzarri Joseph’s 4/31, including Jos Buttler’s duck, kept things spicy, but Root, cool as ever despite an early LBW scare, guided England home in 48.5 overs with 7 balls to spare. That epic knock not only passed Eoin Morgan’s ODI run record but also earned Root Player of the Match and sealed the series. Root’s ability to stay calm, play shots that leave you speechless, and deliver when the stakes are high sets him apart.

England’s Highest Run Scorer in ODI Format

Joe Root is England’s ODI batting king, racking up 7,082 runs in 179 matches by 2025, leaving legends like Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell in his wake. His silky stroke play, rock-solid consistency, and knack for anchoring innings make him the backbone of England’s lineup. Since his debut in 2013, Root’s piled on 18 centuries and 42 fifties, averaging a stellar 49.18 with a strike rate of 87.59.

His top score of 166 not out shows he can dominate, but it’s his 574 fours — finding gaps with surgical precision — that define his class. In the 2019 World Cup, Root was England’s rock at number three, scoring 556 runs with two centuries, including a composed 107 against Pakistan and an unbeaten 100 against the West Indies, steering England to their historic home-soil triumph. Eoin Morgan, with 6,957 runs in 225 matches, sits second. His 93.89 strike rate and 202 sixes scream aggression, and his leadership revolutionised England’s ODI game, culminating in that 2019 glory.

Ian Bell’s 5,416 runs in 161 matches ooze elegance, his 525 fours and 37.87 average painting him as a classical craftsman, though his four centuries leaned more toward stability than fireworks. Jos Buttler’s 5,233 runs in 189 matches bring pure dynamism — his 115.13 strike rate and 174 sixes, plus 11 centuries like his blazing 162 not out, make him a game-changer. Paul Collingwood’s 5,092 runs in 197 matches reflect his grit, with a 35.36 average and five centuries, often saving or sealing innings. Root’s finesse, Morgan’s boldness, Bell’s grace, Buttler’s explosiveness, and Collingwood’s fight weave together England’s rich ODI story.

England’s Highest Run Scorer in Test Format

Now, when it comes to Test cricket, England’s batsmen have written some epic tales, and Joe Root is the guy leading the pack as their all-time top run-scorer. Since 2012, he’s racked up a whopping 13,006 runs in 153 matches, averaging a cracking 50.80. With 36 centuries, 65 fifties, and a huge 262 as his best, Root’s got this knack for piling on runs like nobody’s business. His 1,397 fours and 57.51 strike rate show he’s all about stylish shots mixed with proper grit, frequently holding the fort when things get dicey. Those big, composed innings, like his double hundreds, have bailed England out or sealed wins, making him a proper legend.

Then there’s Alastair Cook, just behind with 12,472 runs in 161 matches from 2006 to 2018. Averaging 45.35, with 33 hundred and 57 fifties, he was like a human wall. His 294 top score and 1,442 fours scream endurance, though his 46.95 strike rate shows he took his time. Cook’s quiet strength and Ashes heroics made him a fan favourite. Graham Gooch smashed 8,900 runs in 118 matches from 1975 to 1995, averaging 42.58. His 20 centuries, including an insane 333, and 46 fifties, brought some serious flair. With 1,079 fours and a 49.23 strike rate, he gave England’s batting a bold edge, even if he played fewer games than the top two.

Alec Stewart chipped in with 8,463 runs in 133 matches from 1990 to 2003, averaging 39.54. His 15 centuries, 45 fifties, and best of 190 show he could handle pressure, especially while keeping wicket. His 1,121 fours and 48.66 strike rate made him a solid bet, though not quite in Root’s league. David Gower’s 8,231 runs in 117 matches from 1978 to 1992, averaging 44.25, were pure magic. His 18 centuries, 39 fifties, and 215 high score, with 979 fours and a 50.59 strike rate, had fans swooning over his elegance, even if Root’s consistency feels unmatched.

What’s Next for Joe Root?

With a bat in his hands, Joe Root has carved out a legacy as England’s top run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket, sparking debates about whether he’s the greatest English cricketer ever. His stunning, unbeaten 166 off 139 balls in the 2025 ODI against West Indies, steering England to chase 309 and clinch the series, was a masterclass. That knock saw him leap past Eoin Morgan to become England’s leading ODI run-getter.

Root’s cool-headed brilliance in the 2019 World Cup was vital, steadying the ship with big scores to help England lift their first-ever title. When you stack him up against legends like Alastair Cook, who ground out runs with sheer determination, Graham Gooch with his fearless swagger, Alec Stewart’s all-around grit, or David Gower’s effortless charm, Root feels special.