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Joe Root 'Completes' Staggering Record Vs New Zealand in ODIs

image-lnd2qgt7Root has amassed 1,000 ODI runs vs NZ [AP Photo]

England's contemporary batting great Joe Root bagged a special feat under his belt in the opening clash of the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 5). The modern-day giant broke past the 1,000-run barrier against New Zealand in One-Day Internationals during his knock in England's campaign opener. 

Root had entered the marquee encounter with the prized record in sight. He was standing only 29 runs behind the coveted mark before arriving at No.3 to the crease in England's first-innings batting effort. 

Root reached the prestigious number with a quiet single through the cover region against Kiwi fast-bowling allrounder James Neesham on the second ball of the 20th over. 

There was no big crowd for the neutral game to cheer the English great on for his wonderful milestone but Root would've personally still savoured the thousandth run against the 2019 World Cup runners-up, who have always been a thorn in the flesh for more popular opponents and are one of the dark horse competitors at this edition of the tournament. 

Root achieves 1,000-run mark in ODIs against New Zealand

Notably, New Zealand are the second of all opponents that Root has produced the 1,000-run milestone against in the 50-over format after Sri Lanka. Root achieved the great feat in his 26th innings in ODIs versus the Black Caps and averages a mighty impressive 48.42 against them with a strike-rate just shy of 90.

The 32-year-old boasts three of his 16 One-Day International hundreds against New Zealand, apart from six of his 37 half-centuries in the format. Even when facing the Lankan Lions, the stalwart right-hand batter has made two hundreds, albeit with nine fifties from 25 innings. 

Root would've been keen for the World Cup to kick-off then as he approached the fixture against one of his favourite oppositions at a time when he had been struggling for runs and flow in the middle recently.

But he dispelled those with a near-perfect half-century in the very first game of the World Cup, announcing his return to form in brilliant fashion.