Joe Root moves toward third place in all-time Test appearances
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 13, 2026, 3:10 PM
Last updated Sep 13, 2026
England captain Joe Root is set to reach 169 career Test appearances when he faces Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston. Root enters this match tied for third place on the all-time list with 168 caps, level with Australian former captains Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most appearances with 200, followed by former England bowler James Anderson with 188. Root remains the only active player among the top 10 on the list, with the next-highest current player being Australian spinner Nathan Lyon with 143 caps. The upcoming appearance marks another milestone for the 35-year-old in a career that currently spans 168 Test matches.
- •Joe Root plays his 169th Test match against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
- •Sachin Tendulkar holds the all-time record with 200 Test appearances.
- •James Anderson ranks second with 188 caps for England.
- •Root is currently tied for third with Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh.
- •Janette Brittain holds the record for most women's Test appearances with 27.
- 3:10 PMYahoo Sports — Joe Root achieves what no batter has done in 147 years of Test cricket, becomes first batter to score 2,000 fourth-innings runs
- 9:29 PMYahoo Sports — Joe Root scripts history at Edgbaston, surpasses Steve Smith to become the fielder with most catches in Test cricket
- 3:53 PMYahoo Sports — Joe Root surpasses Steve Waugh, moves closer to Sachin Tendulkar, James Anderson for most Test appearances
- 10:31 AMYahoo Sports — Who has played the most career Test matches?
"In an impressive display of skill, Joe Root not only surpassed two thousand runs in fourth innings but also became the first cricketer to net one thousand Test runs at Edgbaston. His unbeaten sixty-two propelled England to victory against Pakistan, marking his sixty-ninth Test fifty—an achievement that puts him ahead of Sachin Tendulkar in the record books. Root continues to break records and redefine Test cricket achievement.
"In a historic achievement, Joe Root has now participated in 169 Test matches, breaking the longstanding record of Steve Waugh. This milestone was celebrated during the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, where England opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Dominating the series, the home team seeks a clean sweep, marking a notable return to fielding the same XI for three consecutive Tests since 2010.
"On Thursday, Joe Root made history in Test cricket by claiming his 220th catch, overtaking Steve Smith's record. This monumental achievement took place during England's third Test against Pakistan, where they built a commanding lead in the first innings. Meanwhile, Pakistan struggled early in their second innings, facing significant challenges at the crease.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 3:10 PMJoe Root achieves what no batter has done in 147 years of Test cricket, becomes first batter to score 2,000 fourth-innings runs
In an impressive display of skill, Joe Root not only surpassed two thousand runs in fourth innings but also became the first cricketer to net one thousand Test runs at Edgbaston. His unbeaten sixty-two propelled England to victory against Pakistan, marking his sixty-ninth Test fifty—an achievement that puts him ahead of Sachin Tendulkar in the record books. Root continues to break records and redefine Test cricket achievement.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 9:29 PMJoe Root scripts history at Edgbaston, surpasses Steve Smith to become the fielder with most catches in Test cricket
On Thursday, Joe Root made history in Test cricket by claiming his 220th catch, overtaking Steve Smith's record. This monumental achievement took place during England's third Test against Pakistan, where they built a commanding lead in the first innings. Meanwhile, Pakistan struggled early in their second innings, facing significant challenges at the crease.
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 3:53 PMJoe Root surpasses Steve Waugh, moves closer to Sachin Tendulkar, James Anderson for most Test appearances
In a historic achievement, Joe Root has now participated in 169 Test matches, breaking the longstanding record of Steve Waugh. This milestone was celebrated during the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, where England opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Dominating the series, the home team seeks a clean sweep, marking a notable return to fielding the same XI for three consecutive Tests since 2010.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 10:31 AMWho has played the most career Test matches?
Joe Root will move up the list of all-time Test appearances when England face Pakistan at Edgbaston
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