Joe Root continues to make history, adding another colossal Test record to his illustrious career on May 22. Entering the Test match against Zimbabwe, Root needed just 28 runs to become the fastest batter to reach the 13,000-run mark in Test cricket, a feat the England great successfully accomplished.
Joe Root becomes fastest to 13000 Test runs
But on Day 1 of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, Root shattered the all-time record held by Sachin Tendulkar. Root accomplished this feat in his 153rd match and 278th innings in the format. In doing so, he etched his name in history by becoming the quickest player to reach the milestone by matches played, breaking a record set by Jacques Kallis 12 years ago. However, it's worth noting that he is also the slowest player to complete this legendary feat when measured by innings. This presents a fascinating contrast to Sachin Tendulkar's achievement, who was the quickest to reach the milestone by innings but the slowest by matches played.
Joe Root also became the first English player to achieve the milestone of 13,000 Test runs.
Batters with fastest to 13,000 Test runs (in terms of matches):
Joe Root 153
Jacques Kallis 159
Rahul Dravid 160
Ricky Ponting 162
Sachin Tendulkar 163
England dominates helpless Zimbabwe
The first Test match of the summer witnessed a commanding performance from England, with three players scoring centuries. Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope all cracked centuries as they dominated a struggling Zimbabwe side. This match marked Zimbabwe's first Test appearance in England since 2003. Root himself started aggressively in the innings but was dismissed for 34 runs off 44 balls.
Besides Root, Zak Crawley chipped in with a robust 124 off 171 followed by Ben Duckett's 140 off 134 and Ollie Pope's unbeaten 169 off 163 to help England finish Day1 strongly at 498/3. For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza and Wesley Madhevere took a wicket each.