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Joe Root approaches Ricky Ponting's home Test run record against Pakistan

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 9:49 AM

Last updated Aug 19, 2026

Joe Root approaches Ricky Ponting's home Test run record against Pakistan

Summary

Joe Root will lead England against Pakistan at Headingley starting August 19. He requires 79 runs to surpass Ricky Ponting's record of 7,578 home Test runs. Root is taking over the captaincy following Ben Stokes' retirement and aims to become England's highest run-scorer at Headingley. Achieving this milestone is significant as Root also seeks to reach 12,000 international runs at home. He currently sits at 11,834 international runs across all formats.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Root is captain for the first time since Stokes’ retirement.
•He has scored 7,500 runs in 153 Test innings in England.
•Root needs 135 runs to surpass Geoff Boycott at Headingley.
•This series is the first under new head coach Stephen Fleming.
•Root aims to be first Englishman to reach 12,000 runs in one country.

Latest Updates

9:49 AMYahoo Sports — Joe Root on the verge of history, Ricky Ponting’s all-time record in sight

What they're saying

"
Joe Root, the captain of England, is set to take on Pakistan at Headingley beginning Wednesday. He requires seventy-nine runs to eclipse Ricky Ponting's esteemed home Test record and is striving to become England's highest run-scorer at Headingley. With just a stone's throw from twelve thousand international runs accumulated on English grounds, this series signifies an important evolution in English cricket.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Pakistan England Cricket