**Joe Root: England’s Cricket Maestro—Career, Team, and 5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments**
**Let's Begin**
Joe Root, one of England’s finest cricketers, has been a cornerstone of the national squad for almost a decade. Known for his exquisite batting, tactical brilliance, and leadership, Root has etched his place among cricket’s modern superstars. This blog analyzes his career, his position in the England cricket team, and five of his most spectacular and shocking events that left fans in awe.
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## **Joe Root’s Career & England Cricket Team Overview**
### **Early Life and Rise to Stardom**
Born on December 30, 1990, in Sheffield, England, Joseph Edward Root grew up in a cricket-loving household. He sharpened his abilities at Yorkshire County Cricket Club before making his international debut in 2012.
### **England Cricket Team: Squad Structure**
The England men’s cricket team comprises of: - **Test Squad:** 15-18 players - **ODI Squad:** 15 players - **T20I Squad:** 15 players
Root has been a stalwart across all formats, however he currently mostly focuses on Test cricket, where he owns multiple records.
### **Captaincy & Leadership**
Root served as England’s Test captain from 2017 to 2022, leading the side in 64 matches. Under his guidance, England accomplished notable series successes, including a 4-1 Ashes victory in 2015 (as vice-captain) and a record 3-1 series win in South Africa (2020).
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## **5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments in Joe Root’s Career**
### **1. Record-Breaking 254 against. Pakistan (2016) – A Masterclass in Batting** **Match:** England vs. Pakistan, 2nd Test, Old Trafford ** Date:** July 22-26, 2016
In one of his greatest innings, Root hit a massive **254 runs** in England’s first innings. His superb technique, along with aggressive stroke play, demolished Pakistan’s bowling assault. This remains his best Test score and one of the finest innings by an English batsman.
**Why It Was Shocking?** - Root played for **10 hours and faced 406 balls** - England declared at **589/8**, leading to an innings win - Proved his capacity to play marathon innings under pressure
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### **2. The Ashes 2019 – Root’s Dismissal for a Golden Duck at Lord’s** **Match:** England vs. Australia, 2nd Test, Lord’s **Date:** August 14-18, 2019
In a vital Ashes Test, Root was removed **first ball** by Pat Cummins, leaving England in early difficulty. The dismissal startled supporters, as Root was anticipated to lead the innings.
**Why It Was Shocking?** - First golden duck in his Ashes career - England battled, eventually drawing the match due to Ben Stokes & Jofra Archer - Highlighted Root’s occasional fragility against express speed
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### **3. 100th Test Match & Century against. India (2021) – A Fairytale Milestone** **Match:** England vs. India, 1st Test, Chennai **Date:** February 5-9, 2021
In his **100th Test**, Root performed a masterpiece, scoring **218 runs** in the first innings. His exquisite footwork against spin and tireless focus pushed England to a big score.
**Why It Was Memorable?** - Became just the **9th Englishman** to play 100 Tests - First player to achieve a double-century in his 100th Test - Proved his prowess in subcontinental circumstances
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### **4. The 2019 World Cup Final - Root’s Crucial Role in England’s Triumph** **Match:** England vs. New Zealand, Final, Lord’s **Date:** July 14, 2019
While Ben Stokes took the headlines, Root’s **7 runs in the Super Over** and **steady 49 in the main innings** were key in England’s dramatic World Cup success.
**Why It Was Shocking?** - His coolness under immense pressure was key - England won on **boundary countback**, one of cricket’s most contentious finishes - Cemented Root’s legacy as a big-match player
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### **5. Resignation as England Test Captain (2022) – The End of an Era** **Date:** April 15, 2022
After a **string of crushing defeats**, including a 4-0 Ashes loss and a 1-0 series defeat in the West Indies, Root stood down as captain. The decision startled supporters, given he had been England’s most successful Test captain (27 victories).
**Why It Was Shocking?**
- His resignation came suddenly following a challenging spell - Many felt he could rebuild the squad - Marked the end of an era, with Ben Stokes replacing over
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## **Conclusion**
Joe Root remains one of England’s best cricketers, with a career filled of astonishing highs and surprising lows. From record-breaking double centuries to tragic dismissals, his path has been nothing short of extraordinary. As he continues to pile on runs in Test cricket, fans anxiously expect more legendary moments from this modern-day great.
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