Joe Root Becomes Second-Highest Run Scorer in Test History, Surpasses Ricky Ponting
English cricketer Joe Root has etched his name in the history books by surpassing Ricky Ponting’s record to become the second-highest run scorer in Test cricket. Root achieved this milestone during the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester, on July 25, 2025. He scored 120 runs in the first innings, taking his tally to 13,379 runs in 157 Tests Ā¹ Ā².
Joe Root’s Journey to the Top
Root’s achievement is a testament to his consistency and skill as a batsman. He needed 120 runs to surpass Ponting’s tally of 13,378 runs, which he achieved with a composed single off Anshul Kamboj. Earlier in the day, Root had already surpassed the Test run tallies of Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid, showcasing his dominance in the format Ā³ ā“.
Records Broken
Root’s century in Manchester was his 38th in Test cricket, equaling Kumar Sangakkara’s tally. He now trails only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), and Ricky Ponting (41) in terms of centuries. Root also holds the record for most centuries for England and has scored the most Test hundreds against India āµ ā“.
Comparison with Ponting
Ponting played 168 Tests for Australia from 1995 to 2012 and scored 13,378 runs, whereas Root has achieved the feat in 157 matches. Root’s average of over 51 and his ability to convert starts into big scores have been key to his success Ā² ā¶.
The New Hierarchy
The top five run scorers in Test cricket are:-
1. Sachin Tendulkar : 15,921 runs in 200 Tests- *
2. Joe Root : 13,379 runs in 157 Tests-
3. Ricky Ponting : 13,378 runs in 168 Tests-
4. Jacques Kallis : 13,289 runs in 166 Tests-
5. Rahul Dravid : 13,288 runs in 164 Tests
Root’s achievement sets him up for a potential challenge to Sachin Tendulkar’s record in the future ā¶.