England’s Joe Root became just the seventh player in Test cricket history to score 12,000 runs. He hit this milestone during the third Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Root reached 12,000 runs when he scored 62 with a four off Alzarri Joseph on the first ball after lunch on Day 2. He teamed up with current captain Ben Stokes to help rebuild England’s innings, adding over a hundred runs for the sixth wicket.

England had been struggling at 54 for five in just 12 overs, chasing West Indies first-innings total of 282. In this innings, Root also notched his 95th fifty-plus score, ranking him sixth in this category among all players.

Youngest players to 12,000 Test runs

33y 13d – Alastair Cook
33y 210d – Joe Root
35y 176d – Sachin Tendulkar
35y 214d – Ricky Ponting
36y 32d – Jacques Kallis
37y 68d – Kumar Sangakkara
37y 339d – Rahul Dravid

Root is the second youngest player to reach 12,000 Test runs, behind only his English teammate Alastair Cook. Root achieved this at 33 years and 210 days old. The oldest player to do so was former India captain Rahul Dravid at 37 years and 339 days. Root also surpassed the great Brian Lara’s total of 11,953 runs.

Fastest players to reach 12,000 Test runs in innings

224 – Kumar Sangakkara
247 – Ricky Ponting
247 – Sachin Tendulkar
249 – Jacques Kallis
255 – Rahul Dravid
261 – Joe Root
275 – Alastair Cook

However, Root isn’t the fastest to reach this milestone. Cook took 275 innings to get there, while Root needed 261 innings. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara holds the record for the quickest, reaching 12,000 runs in just 224 innings. Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting are next, both reaching the mark in 247 innings.

England made a stunning comeback in the second Test at Trent Bridge against the West Indies. For the first time in Test cricket history, England scored over 400 runs in both innings of a match.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. England scored 416 in their first innings, led by a century from Ollie Pope and other solid contributions. The West Indies then fought back, scoring 457 in their first innings to take a lead.

In response, England scored over 400 runs again in their second innings, reducing the deficit. Centuries from Harry Brook (109) and Joe Root (122) gave England a lead of over 350 runs.

Joe Root’s record-breaking performance at Trent Bridge

Joe Root hit his 32nd Test century, including his sixth against the West Indies and his fifth at Trent Bridge. He reached this milestone in just 260 innings, with only Alastair Cook ahead of him among English players.

Historically, teams have scored over 400 runs in a Test innings 12 times. England has been on the receiving end five times. Australia has done it six times, India three times, and South Africa, Pakistan, and England once each.

Australia achieved this six times between 1924 and 2008. South Africa did it against England in Durban in 1939. India scored over 400 against Pakistan in 2005, Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad in 2009, and England in 2024. Pakistan did it against India in Faisalabad in 2006. Recently, England achieved this against the West Indies in the second Test.

Historic achievement for England in Test cricket

England has set a target of 385 runs for the West Indies at Trent Bridge. After being bowled out for 425, England made a remarkable comeback after initially being overtaken by the West Indies’ first innings score. The West Indies need 385 runs to win with one and a half days left.

England sets a challenging target for West Indies

It’s a tough challenge for the West Indies batters. Despite their first Test win, England is still at the bottom of the WTC points table, while the West Indies are sixth. England’s win could move them above South Africa in the standings.

Jayden Seals took 4-97, while Alzarri Joseph claimed 2-103. Shamar Joseph, Jason Holder, and Kevin Sinclair each took a wicket.

Harry Brook is growing in stature with every game. His ability to perform in tough situations, especially in Test cricket, is impressive. In the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge, he scored a brilliant century off just 118 balls. When he came to bat, England was at 140-3 with a lead of nearly 100. From the moment he started, he looked confident and played some beautiful shots.

Brook reached his fifty late on Day 3 and completed his century in the first session of Day 4. This is his fifth Test century and his first one at home, making it extra special. After reaching his century, he shared a warm hug with Joe Root, highlighting the camaraderie between the players.

Watch Harry Brook’s Century

Brook is surely a player to watch in the coming years.In this match, Brook was joined by the ever-reliable Joe Root. Root also reached his fifty, marking his 63rd half-century and tying with cricket legends Allan Border and Rahul Dravid. England’s lead has now surged over 250, putting them in a strong position.

Despite losing a lead of 41 earlier, England has regained control of the game. Brook’s performance has been a significant factor in this turnaround. His ability to deliver under pressure and his partnership with Root have been crucial.Brook’s growing presence and consistent performance make him a key player for England. His contributions in this Test match showcase his talent and promise for the future.

On Friday, July 19, Mark Wood made a dramatic entrance into England’s Test team during the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Wood, who wasn’t part of the squad for the first Test as he was given time to recover from the T20 World Cup, was finally brought into the team for this match. With James Anderson retiring, Wood was added straight into the playing XI. He made an impressive comeback, with every ball of his first over clocking well above 90 mph.

Woakes and Atkinson started the bowling for England, covering the first nine overs before captain Ben Stokes brought Wood in. Though he didn’t take a wicket in his first over, he made a strong impression.

Wood Sets New Record for Fastest Over by an England Bowler

In that over, Wood’s six deliveries were all over 92 mph, including one at 96.5 mph. By the end of the over, he had set a new record for the fastest over by an England bowler at home. But Wood didn’t stop there he went on to bowl an even faster third over, with all deliveries over 93 mph and one reaching 97 mph.

As for the match, the West Indies got off to a solid start with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis putting on 53 runs for the first wicket. Shoaib Bashir broke their stand by dismissing Louis for 21. At the time of writing, the West Indies were 74 for 1 in response to England’s first innings total of 416.

England opener Ben Duckett made history with the fastest fifty by an England player in Tests. He achieved this remarkable feat in just 32 balls during the 2nd Test against West Indies at Nottingham, showcasing his exceptional skill and talent.

In the 10th over, Jason Holder bowled a good length delivery. Duckett opened the face of his bat and guided it perfectly past the gully fielder for a boundary. This shot marked his 11th boundary of the innings, bringing up his fifty in style.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, their cheers echoing throughout the stadium as they celebrated Duckett’s historic achievement.

Duckett eventually got out for 71 runs off 59 balls by Shamar Joseph in the 19th over, with England at 105 for 2. He lost his opening partner, Zak Crawley in the first over when Alzarri Joseph bowled him out for a duck after the West Indies chose to bowl first in Nottingham.

Fastest team fifties in Test cricket by overs

4.2 overs – England vs West Indies (today)

4.3 overs – England vs South Africa in 1994

4.6 overs – England vs Sri Lanka in 2002

5.2 Overs – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in 2004

Fastest Test fifties for England by balls

28 – Ian Botham vs India, 1981

30 – Jonny Bairstow vs New Zealand, 2022

32 – Ben Duckett vs West Indies, 2024

32 – Ian Botham vs New Zealand, 1986

Debutant Gus Atkinson delivered a sensational performance on Day 1, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter against the West Indies in the London Test. This match was particularly special as it marked the final appearance of legendary pacer James Anderson.

On day 2, Gudakesh Motie removed the England captain Ben Stokes (4) with a sharp-turning delivery in his first over of the day. The left-arm spinner bowling over the wicket landed it outside Stokes’ off-stump before it took the middle stump out of the ground.

Ben Stokes’ Astonishing Dismissal by Gudakesh Motie

Off the final ball of the 55th over, Gudakesh Motie delivered a ball that drifted slightly away from Stokes. Tempted into a booming cover drive, Stokes was undone as the ball spun viciously off the footmarks to knock his middle stump out. Stokes’ astonished reaction highlighted the brilliance of Motie’s delivery, earning the bowler well-deserved applause.

Day 1 highlights

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision influenced by the overcast conditions and a pitch that promised assistance to the bowlers. This choice soon proved to be a masterstroke.

Gus Atkinson’s remarkable debut

The spotlight quickly shifted to Gus Atkinson, who made an unforgettable debut by taking 7-45. His performance was the second-best by an Englishman on debut, highlighting his immense potential and skill. Atkinson’s lethal pace and precision dismantled the West Indies batting line-up, reducing them to a paltry 121.

West Indies’ first innings collapse

The West Indies struggled to find any rhythm against the English bowlers. Atkinson’s spell was particularly destructive, as he ripped through their top and middle order, leaving them reeling. His exceptional performance overshadowed even the experienced bowlers in the squad, showcasing the depth of England’s bowling arsenal.

England’s batting response

England’s openers took to the crease with confidence, determined to build a substantial lead. Zak Crawley led the charge with a commanding 76, displaying a mix of aggression and composure.

Zak Crawley’s top score

Crawley’s innings was the backbone of England’s batting effort on Day 1. His ability to dominate the bowlers and find gaps in the field kept the scoreboard ticking and put England in a strong position.

By the end of Day 1, England had reached 189-3 in 40 overs, securing a lead of 68 runs. This solid start laid the foundation for a potentially match-winning first innings total.

Day 2 developments

Harry Brook and Joe Root resumed batting on Day 2, aiming to extend England’s lead. Both batsmen looked settled, and the partnership promised to take the game further away from the West Indies.

Brook’s dismissal by Alzarri Joseph

However, Brook was the first to fall on Day 2, succumbing to a bouncer from Alzarri Joseph. His attempted pull shot ended up as a top-edge to wicket-keeper Joshua da Silva, bringing captain Ben Stokes to the crease.

Gus Atkinson is having a dream debut in his first Test against the West Indies. The London-born fast bowler gave it his all and took five wickets in his first game.

England won the toss and chose to bowl first on a cloudy morning. The West Indian openers started cautiously in what was Jimmy Anderson’s final Test. Ben Stokes and his team needed something special to break their partnership, and it was Atkinson who delivered. He took two quick wickets, putting the West Indies on the back foot.

Atkinson maiden 5-wicket haul

The West Indies batsmen Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge fought back, adding 44 runs for the fourth wicket. But Atkinson struck again, taking three wickets in one over. He got Athanaze out, then dismissed Jason Holder for zero, and two balls later, bowled Joshua Da Silva for a duck.

In just four deliveries, he tore through the West Indies middle order. In the next over, Chris Woakes kept the pressure on, taking Hodge’s wicket and adding to the West Indies troubles.

Currently, the West Indies are struggling at 120 for 9, with only a session and a half played.

James Anderson made an emotional statement on Monday, July 8, before his final Test match at Lord’s against the West Indies. Anderson will play his last game during the first Test from July 10 to 14.

England legend James Anderson joked that he is focusing on bowling well and winning his final match to avoid crying as he retires from cricket. Anderson will end his legendary career during the first Test between England and West Indies, starting on July 10. Anderson is the pacer with the most wickets in Test cricket and aims to surpass Shane Warne as the second highest wicket taker in the format.

Emotional farewell announcement

“I feel pretty normal going into this last couple of days of training. Try not to think too much about the game itself. The big thing for me this week is to play well, bowl well and get a win. That’s what I am trying to focus on really. I am sure the emotions during the week will change. So that’s what I am trying to focus on to stop myself from crying,” said Anderson.

Anderson said he is proud of his career and is determined to finish on a high note.

Legacy and record in test cricket

“Playing my 188th Test at just short of 42 years old, makes me the most proud and I’m still pushing myself to be the best I possibly can, Even though I’ve got one game left, I’ve still tried to train as hard as I can,” said Anderson.

At a press conference at Lord’s, Anderson said he feels normal heading into his final game and isn’t overthinking the match. He aims to win for his team, knowing emotions will change throughout the week.

“I feel like I’m still bowling as well as I ever have,” he said. “But I knew it had to end at some point, whether it’s now or in a year or two.”

“The fact it’s now is something I’ve got to deal with and accept. The last couple of months I’ve made peace with that.”

“I can’t complain. I don’t have any regrets, I’ve played hundreds of games for England, played with people who are much more talented than me but didn’t get the opportunity because of injury.”

Anderson decided to retire in May and said he has come to peace with it over the past few months. He has no regrets about his decision. After retiring from cricket, Anderson plans to join England’s coaching team.