Last Updated:
Joe Root equals Babar Azam with his 19th ODI century at the Rose Bowl, matching Brian Lara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Joe Root scored his 19th ODI hundred (Picture credit: AP)
Ace England batter Joe Root on Sunday, September 7, hit his 19th ODI century, to draw level with Pakistan’s Babar Azam on the ODI hundreds tally. The former has been in stupendous form, finishing with truckloads of runs in the recent five-match Test series against India and has carried his form into the South Africa ODIs.
In the third ODI, Root brought up his 19th hundred in style, reaching the milestone in just 95 deliveries as his shot-making skills shone through.
Root’s hundred puts him level with Babar, West Indies great Brian Lara and Mahela Jayawardene, all with 19 ODI centuries.
Root, already England’s leading century-maker in ODIs, has now taken his tally of international centuries to 58. Eoin Morgan finished with 13 ODI hundreds.
Root reached his 19th ODI hundred in his 172nd innings, while Babar achieved the same tally in just 131 innings.
Root’s hundred at the Rose Bowl was his 10th ODI century on home soil and powered England to a big total in the third ODI after dropping the first two games of the series.
In this game, Root came in after Ben Duckett’s dismissal in the ninth over and kept the scoreboard moving in trademark fashion.
Wreathed in smiles as Jacob Bethell hugged Root to celebrate his milestone, the former had proved his point.
While Bethell represents England’s future, the relentless Root is their present and his brilliant 100 brought him a 19th ODI century.
South Africa won by seven wickets in the opening game before a five-run win against England at Lord’s on Thursday.
South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first as they chased a series clean sweep, but England made them pay with blistering stroke-play.
Root strolled to his 44th ODI fifty and 172nd in all formats, but it was Bethell who stole the spotlight with his dazzling array of shots.
September 07, 2025, 21:30 IST
Read More
The postJoe Root Smashes 19th ODI Hundred, Draws Level With Babar Azam | Cricket News appeared first on News18