England’s batting stalwart Joe Root etched his name into cricketing history by becoming the fastest to reach 13000 Test runs. He achieved this milestone during a composed 34-run knock in the first innings of the one-off four-day Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. Root surpassed legendary figures in the game to reach the landmark in record time, further cementing his place among the all-time greats of Test cricket.

Shoaib Bashir grabs his best Test figures as England seal a dominant win against Zimbabwe 🔥#ENGvZIM 📝: https://t.co/ViZB107lxh pic.twitter.com/ezwvJAOuZT

— ICC (@ICC) May 24, 2025

England vs Zimbabwe Test Review

England marked the start of their home international summer with a dominant win in the one-off England vs Zimbabwe Test, defeating the visitors by an innings and 45 runs at Trent Bridge. While the hosts showcased their batting depth with centuries from Ollie Pope (171), Ben Duckett (140), and Zak Crawley (124), the match was particularly memorable for Joe Root’s Test record milestone. During a composed 34-run knock in the first innings, Root became the fastest to reach 13000 Test runs, etching his name further into the annals of cricket history.

Related Match：ENG vs ZIM 4-Day Test of the Zimbabwe tour of England series on 05/22 at 03:30 PM IST

🚨 1️⃣ 3️⃣, 0️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣ 🚨

Enough said. pic.twitter.com/wYdaIAiVhm

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 22, 2025

Though Root’s innings was brief, it was historic, underscoring his enduring value to the side. With the batters laying a strong foundation, England’s bowlers, particularly offspinner Shoaib Bashir, seized control. Bashir’s 6-for-81 in the second innings helped wrap up Zimbabwe’s resistance swiftly. Despite the loss, Zimbabwe impressed with spirited performances from Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza, showing promise for their upcoming Test fixtures. For England, this victory also served as useful preparation ahead of a packed calendar featuring India and the Ashes.

Joe Root’s Test Record

Entering the match with 12,972 runs, Root needed just 28 to enter the elite 13,000-run club, and he did so in 279 innings across 153 Tests, breaking a long-standing record held by some of the greatest names in cricket history.

Root is now the only Englishman to surpass the 13,000-run mark in Test cricket and the fifth overall to achieve this milestone, joining the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid. What makes Root’s achievement even more remarkable is the pace at which he has done it — reaching the landmark faster than anyone else in terms of innings.

Top 5 Fastest to Reach 13000 Test Runs

Looking Ahead

Joe Root’s record-breaking feat in the England vs Zimbabwe Test not only highlights his individual brilliance but also marks a promising start to England’s red-ball summer. As the fastest to reach 13000 Test runs, Root has further cemented his legacy among the game’s greatest, and with age on his side, he remains a strong contender to eventually surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test run record.

England are now set to host India in a highly anticipated five-match Test series, beginning within a month. With form and momentum on his side, all eyes will be on Joe Root’s Test record as fans and critics alike watch to see how many runs he can add to his tally against a formidable Indian attack.