Joe Root has etched his name in the record books by becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) following a brilliant unbeaten innings of 166 that led his team to a three-wicket victory over the West Indies in Cardiff. This achievement not only highlights Root’s skill as a batsman but also cements his status as a pivotal figure in England’s cricket history, as he previously held the record for the highest runs in Test matches for the country.
Root’s remarkable performance came as England chased down a target of 309 runs, with seven deliveries to spare, thereby securing the series win with one match still left to play. He surpassed Eoin Morgan’s previous ODI record of 6,957 runs while playing a crucial role in his team’s recovery from a challenging position of 93-4, where several key players, including Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, and Jos Buttler, fell in quick succession.
In this innings, Root formed a vital partnership with Harry Brook, contributing to a third-wicket stand of 85 runs, before turning the game further in England’s favor with a phenomenal 143-run partnership with Will Jacks. Despite a strong performance from West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph, who claimed four wickets for 31 runs, Root and Adil Rashid expertly navigated the remaining runs to secure the victory, with Root finishing the match with a stylish drive down the ground.
Earlier in the match, the West Indies set a challenging total of 308, largely thanks to Keacy Carty’s standout knock of 103, and solid contributions from Brandon King and Shai Hope. Carty and King’s formidable partnership of 141 for the second wicket was marred by a series of missed chances from England’s fielders, which ultimately allowed the West Indies to post a competitive score. However, England’s bowlers, particularly Rashid with 4-63 and Mahmood with three late wickets, managed to stall the West Indies’ momentum as they lost their last five wickets for just 50 runs.
Looking ahead, the final ODI of this three-match series is set to take place at The Oval on Tuesday, where Root and his teammates will aim to continue their impressive form. This match presents an exciting opportunity for England to make further strides in their ODI campaign while Root’s record as the leading run-scorer adds an inspiring narrative to their performance.