Joe Root etched another historic milestone in his illustrious career by becoming England’s highest run-scorer in One Day Internationals (ODIs), surpassing former captain Eoin Morgan’s tally. The landmark moment came in style, as Root produced a stunning unbeaten 166 to guide England to a six-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI.
Chasing a formidable target of 309, England found themselves in early trouble at 2/2. But Root, demonstrating trademark resilience and calm, held the innings together with a masterclass in pressure batting. His 166 came off 139 deliveries and featured 21 boundaries and 2 sixes. Thanks to his brilliance, England reached the target in 48.5 overs, sealing the three-match series 2–0 with one game to go.
Root’s record-breaking innings took his ODI tally to 7,082 runs, making him not only England’s top scorer in ODIs but also the first English batter to surpass 7,000 runs in the format. He now holds national records for most runs in both Test and ODI cricket.
Root’s knock was built around critical partnerships, first stabilising the innings with Harry Brook in an 85-run stand. Brook contributed a composed 47 before falling, while Will Jacks added a valuable 49 to keep the momentum going. But it was Root who remained the anchor, steering the chase with unwavering focus.
Earlier, the West Indies had posted a strong total of 308, thanks to a well-crafted century by Keacy Carty (103 off 105) and a fluent 78 from skipper Shai Hope. Their efforts put England under significant pressure during the chase, but Root’s response was emphatic.
The match also marked a promising chapter for Harry Brook, who led England for the first time in the series. With back-to-back wins and an impressive all-round performance, Brook’s leadership debut has sparked optimism about his future in the role.
With one match remaining, England will look to complete a clean sweep and continue building momentum. But the day belonged to Joe Root—whose legacy as one of England’s greatest modern cricketers just became even more undeniable.
