ESPNcricinfo has named England batsman Joe Root as the ninth greatest men's international cricketer of the century, celebrating his rise to second on the all-time Test run-scorers list.
The ranking was announced on May 24, 2026.
Root has amassed 22,000 international runs at an average of 49.21 and taken 107 wickets.
He holds national records for most runs and hundreds in both Tests and ODIs, along with a 50-over World Cup winner's medal.
Root began his international career during England's tour of India in 2012.
On his Test debut in Nagpur, he famously greeted a senior teammate with, "Eh up, lad, what's happening?"
Former England spinner Graeme Swann recalled Root's early days on that 2012 tour.
Swann noted that the young player initially looked like a child but immediately showed world-class ability against both pace and spin in practice nets.
"As an English batter, Joe Root is an excellent player of spin, which isn't normally the case. Joe is world-class against both, spin and pace," Swann said.
"When he came on the India tour in 2012, I had barely seen him play, barely knew who he was; he looked about 12 years old.
First time I bowled at him at the nets in Nagpur, where he would make his Test debut, I bowled two balls, and I didn't know how I was going to get him out."
Swann added: "This kid was so easily playing with the full face of his bat out in front of his pad, reading the spin, reading the dip, I thought this lad was class.
He actually was being guided to a maiden Test century in that match by me.
While we were batting together I kept telling him: don't get out, don't go down the wicket, stay patient.
He didn't listen to his batting mentor, Graeme Swann, and went down the wicket and got out for 70!"
Swann concluded: "Simply put, in my opinion, Joe Root is the best player England have ever produced."
