Joe Root is one of the finest batters of modern international cricket. Since making his England debut, he has built an impressive career through consistency, patience and the ability to convert good starts into big scores. His century record is one of the strongest aspects of his career, especially in Test cricket.
As of 2026, Joe Root has scored 61 international centuries. These include 41 Test centuries and 20 ODI centuries, while he has not scored a century in T20 International cricket.
His remarkable consistency has also helped him become England’s leading century-maker in both Test and ODI cricket.
Joe Root Total Centuries
Joe Root’s international centuries are spread across Test and ODI cricket. Test cricket has been his strongest format, where he has repeatedly produced long and match-defining innings.
| Format | Centuries | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 41 | 262 |
| ODI | 20 | 166* |
| T20I | 0 | 90* |
| Total | 61 | 262 |
The majority of Root’s centuries have come in Test cricket. His 41 Test hundreds demonstrate his remarkable consistency in the longest format, while his 20 ODI centuries show that he has also been highly successful in limited-overs cricket.
Joe Root Test Centuries
Joe Root has scored 41 centuries in Test cricket, making him England’s most prolific Test century-maker.
His Test career has included centuries in a wide variety of conditions. He has performed against some of the strongest Test teams in the world, including India, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
Root’s ability to bat for long periods is one of the main reasons behind his exceptional Test record. He rarely depends solely on aggressive stroke play. Instead, he combines solid defense with precise shot selection and gradually builds his innings.
| Test Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Centuries | 41 |
| First Test Century | 104 vs New Zealand |
| Highest Test Score | 262 vs Pakistan |
| Test Double Centuries | 6 |
| England Test Century Record | Yes |
His highest Test score is 262 runs against Pakistan. The innings was one of the biggest scores of his career and further strengthened his reputation as one of England’s greatest Test batters.
Joe Root ODI Centuries
Joe Root has scored 20 ODI centuries for England. His ODI career has been marked by consistency rather than simply power hitting. Root has traditionally been an excellent player of gaps, singles and doubles, while also possessing the ability to accelerate when required.
His 20 ODI centuries make him England’s leading century-maker in the format.
| ODI Record | Details |
|---|---|
| ODI Centuries | 20 |
| First ODI Century | 107 vs West Indies |
| Highest ODI Score | 166* |
| England ODI Century Record | Yes |
Root’s highest ODI score is 166 not out, an innings that demonstrated his ability to stay at the crease for a long period while maintaining a strong scoring rate.
Joe Root T20I Centuries
Joe Root has 0 centuries in T20 International cricket. Although he represented England in T20Is, the format has never produced a century for him. His highest T20I score is 90 not out.
Root’s T20I career was relatively short compared with his Test and ODI careers. His greatest contribution to England has come in Test cricket and ODIs.
| T20I Record | Details |
|---|---|
| T20I Centuries | 0 |
| Highest T20I Score | 90* |
| T20I Career | 32 matches |
| T20I Century | None |
Joe Root’s First Test Century
Joe Root scored his first Test century against New Zealand at Headingley in 2013. He made 104 runs, marking the beginning of what would become an extraordinary Test batting career.
At that stage, Root was still developing as an international batter, but the century showed his ability to handle pressure and play a long innings against quality opposition. His first hundred eventually became the foundation for a Test career that would produce more than 40 centuries.
Joe Root’s First ODI Century
Root scored his first ODI century against the West Indies in 2014. He made 107 runs, establishing himself as an important member of England’s ODI batting lineup.
His ODI batting developed considerably over the following years. He became known for his excellent technique, ability to rotate the strike and skill at converting starts into substantial scores.
Joe Root’s Highest Test Score
Joe Root’s highest Test score is 262 runs against Pakistan. The innings came in Multan in 2024 and remains one of the most memorable performances of his career.
Root showed extraordinary concentration during the innings and spent a long period at the crease. His performance demonstrated his ability to dominate an opposition without needing to take unnecessary risks. The innings also had major significance for his career because Root continued to move up England’s all-time batting records during this period.
Joe Root’s Highest ODI Score
Joe Root’s highest ODI score is 166 not out against the West Indies. The innings showcased the different aspects of his limited-overs batting. He combined traditional cricketing shots with excellent placement and controlled aggression. Root’s ODI career has generally been based on consistency and intelligent batting rather than relying only on boundary hitting.
Joe Root’s Double Centuries
Joe Root has scored six double centuries in Test cricket. This is another indication of his ability to convert centuries into very large innings. Once Root settles at the crease, he often becomes increasingly difficult for bowlers to dismiss.
Some of his most notable big Test scores include:
| Score | Opponent | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 200* | Sri Lanka | Test |
| 254 | Pakistan | Test |
| 218 | India | Test |
| 180 | Australia | Test |
| 262 | Pakistan | Test |
His 218 against India in 2021 was particularly memorable because it came in his 100th Test match.
Joe Root’s 41st Test Century
Joe Root reached his 41st Test century against Australia during the Ashes in Sydney in January 2026. He scored 160 runs, adding another major milestone to his career.
Reaching 41 Test centuries placed Root among a very small group of the most successful Test century-makers in cricket history. His achievement became even more significant because he had already established himself as England’s leading Test run-scorer and century-maker.
Joe Root’s 20th ODI Century
Root’s 20th ODI century came against Sri Lanka in Colombo in January 2026. He scored 111 not out from 108 balls. The century was another important milestone because it moved Root to 20 ODI hundreds and further strengthened his position as England’s leading ODI century-maker.
It also demonstrated that Root remained capable of producing match-winning performances in international limited-overs cricket.
Joe Root’s Centuries Against India
India has been one of the most important opponents in Joe Root’s Test career. Root has scored 13 Test centuries against India, showing his remarkable consistency against one of the world’s strongest cricket teams.
Playing against India presents a major challenge because of its combination of high-quality fast bowlers and world-class spinners. Root’s technique and ability to adapt have allowed him to perform successfully against Indian bowling attacks in different conditions. One of his most memorable performances against India came in Chennai, where he scored 218 in his 100th Test.
Joe Root’s Century Record for England
Joe Root has achieved a unique position in English cricket because he holds the century record in both Test and ODI cricket.
Most Test Centuries for England
Root has scored 41 Test centuries, making him England’s leading Test century-maker. His record reflects more than a decade of consistency at the highest level.
Most ODI Centuries for England
Root has scored 20 ODI centuries, which is also the highest number by an English batter. Having the most centuries in both major international formats demonstrates his importance to England’s batting history.
Joe Root Century Milestones
Root’s career has included several major century milestones.
| Milestone | Achievement |
|---|---|
| First Test Century | 104 vs New Zealand |
| First ODI Century | 107 vs West Indies |
| First Test Double Century | 200* vs Sri Lanka |
| Highest Test Score | 262 vs Pakistan |
| 41st Test Century | 160 vs Australia |
| 20th ODI Century | 111* vs Sri Lanka |
| Test Centuries | 41 |
| ODI Centuries | 20 |
| International Centuries | 61 |
Joe Root International Centuries by Format
The distribution of his centuries clearly shows where Root has been most successful.
| Format | Centuries | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 41 | 67.2% |
| ODI | 20 | 32.8% |
| T20I | 0 | 0% |
| Total | 61 | 100% |
More than two-thirds of Root’s international centuries have come in Test cricket. This is consistent with his reputation as one of the world’s finest Test batters.
Why Joe Root Scores So Many Centuries
There are several reasons behind Root’s outstanding century record.
Excellent Technique
Root possesses a technically strong batting style. His balance and ability to play the ball late allow him to handle different types of bowling.
Strong Concentration
Test cricket requires enormous patience, and Root has consistently shown the ability to concentrate for long periods.
Ability to Convert Starts
One of his greatest strengths is converting half-centuries into hundreds. Once he becomes comfortable at the crease, he often continues scoring for a considerable period.
Adaptability
Root has scored runs in different countries and against different bowling attacks. His ability to adjust his approach according to conditions has been central to his success.
Excellent Shot Selection
Rather than attempting difficult shots unnecessarily, Root generally waits for scoring opportunities. His ability to find gaps helps him accumulate runs consistently.
Joe Root’s Batting Style
Root is primarily known for classical and technically correct batting.
His most effective scoring areas include:
- Cover region
- Square of the wicket
- Mid-wicket
- Fine leg
- Behind square
- Straight down the ground
He is also an excellent player of spin and has developed several effective sweep variations. His batting style allows him to play both defensive and attacking cricket depending on the match situation.
Joe Root’s Career Statistics
| Statistic | Test | ODI | T20I |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 167 | 192 | 32 |
| Centuries | 41 | 20 | 0 |
| Highest Score | 262 | 166* | 90* |
| Double Centuries | 6 | 0 | 0 |
These figures highlight how strongly Root’s career has been built around Test cricket while also showing his considerable success in ODIs.
Joe Root and 14,000 Test Runs
Joe Root’s century record becomes even more impressive when viewed alongside his total Test runs. He became only the second batter in Test history to cross 14,000 runs, after Sachin Tendulkar.
Reaching such a milestone requires extraordinary longevity and consistency. The fact that Root achieved this while maintaining more than 40 Test centuries demonstrates the remarkable quality of his career.
Joe Root vs Other Great Test Century-Makers
Root’s 41 Test centuries place him among the greatest Test batters in cricket history.
| Player | Test Centuries |
|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 51 |
| Jacques Kallis | 45 |
| Joe Root | 41 |
| Ricky Ponting | 41 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 38 |
The numbers may change as active players continue their careers, but Root’s place among the leading Test century-makers is already firmly established.
Joe Root Total Centuries in 2026
The year 2026 has been another important period for Root’s century record. He added his 41st Test century against Australia and his 20th ODI century against Sri Lanka.
These milestones took his international century total to 61. Because Root remains an active international cricketer, his century tally can increase in the future.
Joe Root Century Records: Quick Overview
| Record | Joe Root’s Achievement |
|---|---|
| Total International Centuries | 61 |
| Test Centuries | 41 |
| ODI Centuries | 20 |
| T20I Centuries | 0 |
| Test Double Centuries | 6 |
| Highest Test Score | 262 |
| Highest ODI Score | 166* |
| Highest T20I Score | 90* |
| Test Century Record for England | Yes |
| ODI Century Record for England | Yes |
| Test Centuries Against India | 13 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centuries does Joe Root have?
Joe Root has scored 61 international centuries, including 41 Test centuries and 20 ODI centuries.
How many Test centuries does Joe Root have?
Joe Root has 41 Test centuries.
How many ODI centuries does Joe Root have?
Joe Root has 20 ODI centuries.
Does Joe Root have a T20I century?
No. Joe Root has not scored a century in T20 International cricket.
What is Joe Root’s highest Test score?
His highest Test score is 262 runs against Pakistan.
What is Joe Root’s highest ODI score?
His highest ODI score is 166 not out against the West Indies.
How many double centuries has Joe Root scored?
Joe Root has scored six Test double centuries.
Who was Joe Root’s first Test century against?
His first Test century came against New Zealand at Headingley in 2013.
Who was Joe Root’s first ODI century against?
His first ODI century came against the West Indies in 2014.
When did Joe Root score his 41st Test century?
He scored his 41st Test century against Australia in Sydney in January 2026.
When did Joe Root score his 20th ODI century?
He scored his 20th ODI century against Sri Lanka in Colombo in January 2026.
How many centuries has Joe Root scored against India?
He has scored 13 Test centuries against India.
Did Joe Root score a double century in his 100th Test?
Yes. Root scored 218 against India in his 100th Test match.
Conclusion
Joe Root’s century record is a reflection of his remarkable consistency, technique and longevity. With 61 international centuries, he has established himself as one of the most successful batters of his generation.
His 41 Test centuries place him among the greatest Test century-makers in cricket history, while his 20 ODI centuries make him England’s leading century-maker in the 50-over format.
What makes Root’s record even more impressive is his ability to score big once he reaches three figures. His six Test double centuries and highest score of 262 demonstrate his ability to turn a good start into a match-defining innings.
Since Joe Root is still active in international cricket, his century tally is not necessarily complete. If he continues playing at his current level, the number of international centuries could rise further, adding even more milestones to an already outstanding career.
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