Joe Root in the spotlight as SA20 auction price revealed

Who is Joe Root

Joe Root is an English international cricketer born on 30 December 1990 in Dore, United Kingdom. He plays for England in Tests and ODIs and is the current captain of the Test side, reappointed in 2026 after previously holding the role from 2017 to 2022. Root also represents Yorkshire in English domestic cricket. He is the leading run‑scorer among active batsmen, the second highest run‑scorer of all time in Test cricket and the highest run‑scorer for England. He was part of the England team that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup, where he top‑scored for England, and has topped the ICC rankings for Test batsmen on ten occasions. Root is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of his era and among the finest England has produced. He has a Wikipedia article in 25 languages and is No 13375 in the People and Position Index.

Lesser‑known facts

Joe Root shares his birthday, 30 December, with basketball star LeBron James and another indexed individual named Titus.

His club career began with Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 2009, followed by his debut for the England cricket team in 2012, and a stint with Sydney Thunder starting in 2018.

Root was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2014 and has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

He received his education at Worksop College and King Ecgbert School before embarking on his professional cricket career.