Joe Root also set a new record in Test cricket, overtaking Australia's Steve Smith in the number of catches in the longest format. Root was the longest-standing record holder as the number of catches in the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Thursday, September 10.
Root took his 220th Test catch, surpassing Smith’s previous record of 219. It was set early in Pakistan’s second innings when Root took a sharp catch at first slip to remove Abdullah Shafique.
The catch came off the bowling of Ollie Robinson. Shafique edged a delivery towards Root, who reacted quickly and completed a low catch to send the Pakistan opener back for a three-ball duck.
The achievement puts Root on the list of the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket. Rahul Dravid is second with 210 catches, followed by Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene with 205 and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis with 200.
Root takes the record in England's dominant Test.
Root’s stunning catch came in an all-round one-sided match at Edgbaston. Pakistan were bowled out for 133 runs in their first innings, and England scored 453 in their first innings, with the hosts leading by 320 runs in the first innings.
Pakistan’s second innings got off to another disastrous start. Saim Ayub fell without scoring, while Shafique was out off Robinson who struck the ball up and Root got the catch that earned him a place at the top of the Test fielding charts.
England's supremacy has also been supported by their bowling attack. Robinson has been the most effective in this series; his dismissal of Shafique in this series was a blow to Pakistan’s hopes as England won 3-0 series sweep.
For Root, the record is another great success in an extraordinary Test career. He has now played 169 Tests, while Smith set his previous record of 219 catches in 125 matches. Root’s number is also longer (the same as Smith’s), but his presence in the slips has made him one of the most reliable fielders of the format.
The record has changed hands a few times in recent weeks. Root had been ahead of Smith earlier in the Pakistan series when he had 219 catches, and Smith’s previous record and Root’s last catch were part of a long-running statistical battle. The latest catch at Edgbaston has put Root on top.
Another Milestone In A Record-Breaking Career
The catching record is just one of Root's many great accomplishments. The England batsman has already established himself as one of the most prolific run scorers in Test cricket, having scored many centuries in the Pakistan series.
With 169 appearances, Root moved to third place in terms of Test appearances, ahead of Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. The only players with more Test appearances are James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar.
His hitting statistics are also excellent. Root is the second-highest run scorer in history with nearly 14,000 Test runs after Tendulkar. According to the most recent career statistics, he has 41 Test hundreds and 68 fifties.
Interestingly, Root’s new record came in the middle of a relatively quiet batting series. He scored 8 in England’s first innings at Edgbaston after scores of 4 and 24 at Lord’s. His performance on the field may not have been as strong as it could have been, but his performance in the field was once again significant.
Root is now at the top of the Test fielding charts with 220 catches and counting. He will be able to set the record even further when he steps away from the format, as his international career is still a while away.
