Joe Root becomes fourth-fastest to 5000 runs in Barbados ODI against West Indies

The Barbados ODI witnessed a slew of records being broken. Chris Gayle smashed his 24^th century in his first ODI after seven months. West Indies hit a total of 23 sixes during their total of 360/8, which is the most by any team in one ODI innings. However, England made a magnificent response as they chased down the total to achieve the third-highest successful chase in ODIs. Jason Roy and Joe Root’s centuries powered England to a six-wicket win and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. In the process of his 14^th century, Root achieved a special landmark in his already illustrious career.

On 53, Root top-edged a short ball from pacer Oshane Thomas and managed to get a boundary to the fine leg fence. In the process, Root went past 5000 runs and he became the fastest England player and fourth-fastest overall to reach the landmark. Hashim Amla of South Africa is the quickest to get to the landmark having achieved it in just 101 innings. Sir Vivian Richards of West Indies and Indian skipper Virat Kohli reached 5000 runs in 114 innings while Root achieved it in his 116^th innings.

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With his 14^th century, Root has extended his advantage in the list of England players with the most international ODI centuries. Marcus Trescothick had 12 centuries in 123 games while Eoin Morgan has 10 in 190 innings. Root, Trescothick and Morgan are the only England players to have 10 or more centuries in ODIs, with Root getting it in just 122 matches.

The knock of 102 is Root’s third century against West Indies in ODIs and remarkably, he has gotten all three centuries in the West Indies. In the 2014 ODI in North Sound, Antigua, Root smashed 107 and in the 2017 ODI in Barbados, he smashed 101 as England won both the games by 25 runs and 186 runs respectively.

Whenever Root has hit a century, England has tasted defeat just four times. His tally of centuries and average is highest against the West Indies in ODIs and he will be the key for England’s fortunes in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup which will begin on May 30.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Joe Root has the most centuries in ODIs for England.
• Root is the fastest England player to reach 5000 ODI runs.
• England achieved the third-highest successful chase in ODIs.