'...Be The First To Score 16,000 Runs': Alastair Cook Drops His Wish On Root vs Tendulkar Debate
Alastair Cook [Source: @Cricketracker/x.com]
The English great Sir Alastair Cook is one of the three new inductees (Neetu David and AB De Villiers being the other two) into the ICC Hall of Fame. One of the greatest batters ever graced the game, Alastair Cook drew curtains on his Test career as the highest run-scorer and century-maker for his nation in the format.
However, the records no longer belong to the southpaw, as Joe Root has surpassed him in both cases. The right-handed batter passed Cook's 12,472 Test runs during the first Test against Pakistan in Multan.
Cook expressed his delight and stated that he could not find words to congratulate Root after the achievement.
Joe Root stands at the fifth position in the list of highest run-scorers in Test cricket
Joe Root currently has 35 Test Hundreds and 12,716 runs to his name. He is separated from Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record in both cases with just three players - Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, and Ricky Ponting. With Root nearing Sachin's record, the cricketing universe is engaged in the debate of Root vs Tendulkar.
Player | Matches | Runs | Centuries |
---|---|---|---|
Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 15,921 | 51 |
Ricky Ponting | 168 | 13,378 | 41 |
Jaques Kallis | 166 | 13,289 | 45 |
Rahul Dravid | 164 | 13,288 | 36 |
Joe Root | 148 | 12,716 | 35 |
Table - List of highest run-scorers in Test cricket
Cook excited about Root's possible record
The former English skipper also expressed his opinion on this debate. He stated that he is excited about the possibility of Root becoming the first cricketer to score 16,000 Test runs.
"I think Joe Root could set a mark, certainly on an English side, that'll be very hard to beat. But you just never know.
I hope he can get very close, if not be the first person who scores 16,000 Test runs. It'd be a great achievement," - said Cook.
Joe Root will be soon seen in action in the Third Test vs Pakistan at Rawalpindi starting from 24th October 2024.