Joe Root creates history, becomes first player to achieve this iconic feat

Veteran England star Joe Root created history by becoming the first batter ever to score 2,000 Test runs against New Zealand, reaching the landmark while leading England as stand-in captain during the second Test of the ongoing series at The Oval on Saturday, June 20. With six hundreds and nine fifties so far, Root set the record in his 44th innings against the Kiwis, averaging well over 50 throughout. Legendary Pakistan player Javed Miandad, who scored 1919 runs in just 29 innings, was the previous highest run scorer against New Zealand.

Before this three-Test series began, Root needed 75 runs to reach this significant milestone. In the first Test at Lord's, he achieved just nine runs; at the Oval, he hit a far higher 46.

Most Test Runs vs New Zealand

Joe Root: 2004*

Javed Miandad: 1919

Rahul Dravid: 1659

Sachin Tendulkar: 1595

Jacques Kallis: 1543

With England already under pressure at 13 for 2, chasing a massive 463 after Kyle Jamieson removed Emilio Gay and Jacob Bethell in the same over, Root entered at the crease in need of 20 in the fourth innings.

On a pitch giving movement and uneven bounce, his start was far from comfortable. He saw New Zealand waste a review against him, survived an outside edge that missed second slip, and spent the majority of his first 20 deliveries just absorbing pressure from Matt Henry and Jamieson.

Once situated, however, Root gradually seized control of the chase. He relied on time and placement instead than pushing the tempo, picking off boundaries whenever New Zealand provided width with his usual late cuts, square drives, and smart punches behind point.

Joe Root remained the soothing influence as wickets continued to fall around him, notably Ben Duckett's departure soon after England fell to 40 for 3. Along the way, he also became only the second batter in the world to cross the 14,000 Test runs mark after Sachin Tendulkar. With England remaining in a precarious position at 54/3, he entered the tea break at 24* (40).

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