Joe Root's Stellar Performance Propels England to ODI Victory Over West Indies

Joe Root Reflects on His ODI Comeback

After England's hard-fought victory against West Indies in the second ODI, Joe Root expressed that his desire to contribute more in 50-over cricket under Jos Buttler's captaincy is fueling his recent success. He aims to play as many ODIs as possible for England moving forward.

Root achieved several milestones during the match, surpassing Eoin Morgan to become England's leading ODI run-scorer, reaching the landmark of 7,000 ODI runs, and recording his highest individual score of 166* in a three-wicket win.

Root's Commitment to England's ODI Future

In a post-match interview, Root commented, "Reaching 7,000 runs in ODIs is a sign of aging, having played so many matches." He emphasized his commitment to contributing to England's success, stating, "I still have a lot to offer and more runs to score, and I hope innings like this demonstrate that."

He added, "As long as I have the desire to improve and help the team, I will continue playing. It doesn't feel like I'm close to stopping, and I will keep striving to help us win games and series in the future."

Reflections on Limited ODI Participation

Discussing his limited participation in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup, where he played only 19 matches under Buttler, Root admitted feeling guilty for not being more present during that time. He stated, "Now that there are more opportunities to play ODI cricket, I want to be involved and contribute to the team's success."

Since England's 2019 World Cup victory, Root has accumulated 1,226 runs in 36 ODIs, averaging 40.86, with two centuries and nine fifties, his highest score being 166*.

Praise for Captain Harry Brook

Root also shared his thoughts on captain Harry Brook, saying, "Despite being a bit of a character off the field, he possesses a deep understanding of the game. His unique perspective and approach will make him a strong leader."

Joe Root's Record-Breaking ODI Stats

With a total of 7,082 runs in 179 ODIs, Root stands as England's top run-scorer in this format, boasting an impressive average of 49.18, including 18 centuries and 42 fifties. This year alone, he has scored 560 runs in eight ODIs at an average of 80.00, featuring two centuries and three fifties.

In addition to his ODI achievements, Root has excelled in Test cricket, surpassing Alastair Cook last year. He has amassed 13,006 runs in 153 Tests at an average of 50.80, with 36 centuries and 65 fifties, making him the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test history.

England Takes a 2-0 Lead in the Series

In the match, West Indies set a target of 308 runs, thanks to a century from Kaecy Carthy (103 off 105 balls) and half-centuries from Brandon King (59 off 67 balls) and Shai Hope (78 off 66 balls). Adil Rashid (4/63) and Saqib Mahmood (3/37) were the standout bowlers for England.

During the chase, despite early setbacks, Root's unbeaten 166* off 139 balls, supported by Brook (47 off 36 balls) and Will Jacks (49 off 58 balls), led England to a thrilling three-wicket victory with seven balls remaining. Root was named 'Player of the Match,' and England now leads the three-match series 2-0.