Joe Root Becomes First England Batter To Score 8,000 Runs in ODI Cricket
Joe Root has made history, becoming the first English cricketer to cross the 8,000-run mark in One Day Internationals during England's Tri-Series clash against Sri Lanka today, October 22, 2026, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The 35-year-old batting stalwart achieved the milestone in his 197th ODI, further solidifying his legacy as an England great.
England's batting maestro, Joe Root, today achieved a monumental milestone, becoming the first Englishman to register 8,000 One Day International (ODI) runs. The veteran right-hander reached the landmark during the Tri-Series encounter against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Joe Root Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar to Record Most Half Centuries in Test Cricket.
Joe Root Becomes 1st England Batter To Score 8,000 Runs in ODI Cricket
Another milestone in an incredible career 👏 https://t.co/cgxFPDj6gA
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 22, 2026
Root, aged 35 years and 296 days, arrived at the crease needing just 64 runs to reach the historic figure. He meticulously crafted his innings, ultimately bringing up the milestone with a characteristic shot, solidifying his status as one of England's all-time white-ball greats.
A Record-Breaking Feat
Joseph Edward Root, who made his ODI debut in 2013, achieved this feat in his 197th appearance and 186th innings, showcasing remarkable consistency throughout his career. His average of over 50 in the format is testament to his enduring quality and vital role in England's ODI setup. Notably, no other English batter has even crossed the 7,000-run mark, with former captain Eoin Morgan a distant second with 7,701 runs.
This achievement follows another significant milestone earlier this year when Root surpassed 23,000 international runs in September 2026 during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Durham.
Match Context: England vs Sri Lanka Tri-Series
The match at Rawalpindi, the third in the ODI Tri-Series also featuring hosts Pakistan, commenced at 01:00 UTC (6:00 AM PKT). England entered this series with strong recent form, having secured ODI series victories over both Sri Lanka and India at home earlier in the year.
Head-to-Head ODI Record (England vs Sri Lanka)
| Teams | Matches Played | England Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Ties | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England vs SL | 81 | 40 | 37 | 1 | 3 |
Joe Root's Recent Form (2025-2026)
Root's form in the 50-over format has been exceptional, particularly since England's 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign. Sri Lanka vs England Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast, ODI Tri-Nation Series 2026 Match 3 on VETO App.
- 2026 ODIs (Year-to-Date): 573 runs in 9 innings at an average of 114.60, including 1 century and 5 fifties.
- 2025 ODIs: 808 runs in 15 ODIs at an average of 57.71, with 3 centuries and 4 fifties.
- Post-2023 World Cup: 1,381 runs across 24 matches at an average of 72.68, featuring 4 centuries and 9 fifties.
Root's continued prowess in white-ball cricket, especially at this stage of his illustrious career, underscores his immense value to the England team as they look ahead to future ICC tournaments. His relentless pursuit of excellence ensures his place among the pantheon of cricket's greatest batsmen.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2026 05:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
