Voting has closed for SJA members to decide the winners of three major categories at the SJA British Sports Awards 2024; winners will be announced live on Sky Sports News on Wednesday 20 November; Stuart Broad, Mary Earps and Manchester City’s men’s team claimed the 2023 honours; who will take the top prizes this year?
By Lucy Blitz
When you think of great English batsmen, the likes of Alastair Cook, Alec Stewart, Kevin Pietersen and Geoffrey Boycott roll off the tongue.
But now, one name stands tall among the rest. Make no mistake, the English cricket summer – and a place within the history books – belongs to Joe Root.
It was at Lord’s in August that the Yorkshireman reached new heights, matching Cook’s record tally of centuries for England after a stylish 143 against Sri Lanka on day one of the second Test.
Just 48 hours later, Root had firmly established himself above all others, with his second ton of the match and a record 34th overall.
It was the first time he had scored back-to-back centuries in the same Test and even more impressively, it was his fastest of the 34, reaching three figures in just 111 balls.
To do so at the Home of Cricket was another triumph in itself, marking Root’s seventh century in NW8, the most of any Test player.
Not only does the Englishman excel at the crease, but his reliability both with the ball and in the field does not go unnoticed.
A catch at slip off Olly Stone’s bowling on the same day saw Root become the first English player to reach 200 Test catches.
The record-breaking Test match was just the tip of the iceberg for Root, who has compiled 884 runs in 12 innings since England’s third Test against India in February.
But above all the statistics, Root offers a sense of stability each time he walks out to the middle, often responsible for hauling England back in control when their ‘Bazball’ approach goes awry.
Look to the fourth Test in India, where Root’s 122 not-out brought England to safety after a worrying 112-5 at lunch on day one.
The same again for his record-equaling knock at Lord’s against Sri Lanka – the hosts were 42/2 and in desperate need of a steady bat after temporary captain Ollie Pope departed for a single run. Cut to stumps, and England were 358/7 – Root scored 143 of them.
The 33-year-old, who has thrived under head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, remains ever-modest, with sights firmly set on the future.
He said: “The records are all things in a few years’ time I might be able to look back and enjoy. At the minute, I still have a lot of cricket to play.”
Just when it seemed like he was done for 2024, Root made more history during England’s most recent Test match in Pakistan.
Starting the match in Multan, Root was just 70 runs behind Sir Alastair Cook. During an extraordinary, record-breaking fourth wicket stand with Harry Brook, the 33-year-old overtook Cook to become England’s highest Test run-scorer.
He eventually fell for 262 in the latest demonstration of his talent and poise under pressure.
Pundits have tipped the England talisman as next in line to break the record of becoming the highest Test run-scorer of all time, should fitness and form prevail.
With 3,257 runs standing between Root and current all-time scorer Sachin Tendulkar, some say it is a matter of ‘when, not if’ given the batsman’s form.
In other words, the case for Joe Root makes itself, as the Englishman continues his serene march towards history.
Sports journalist Lucy Blitz is a member of the SJA Academy – find out more about membership here.
Visit our SJA British Sports Awards 2024 hub article for more information.
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