Joe Root: Records, Wife Age, Jersey, Tendulkar & Babar

For anyone who has followed English cricket through its ups and downs, Joe Root’s steady accumulation of runs has become one of the most reassuring constants in the game. With more than 14,000 Test runs and 41 centuries, Root isn’t just leading England’s batting charts—he’s quietly edging into conversations once reserved for Sachin Tendulkar and the all-time greats. But how does he actually compare, and what’s the story behind the numbers that defines his career?

Test Runs: 12,000+ · Test Centuries: 30+ · Test Average: ~50 · Age: 34

Six key facts that define Joe Root’s profile, from his birth date to the number on his back.

Will Joe Root overtake Tendulkar?

Joe Root’s current Test runs vs Sachin Tendulkar’s

• Root has 14,216 Test runs in 308 innings (Indian Express)
• Tendulkar finished with 15,921 Test runs, the highest ever (ICC Hall of Fame)
• Root is one of only two men to pass 14,000 Test runs (Indian Express)

The gap is just over 1,700 runs—about three good seasons if Root maintains his current average.

Age and remaining career timeline

• Root is 34 years old, born 30 December 1990 (Wikipedia)
• Tendulkar played until age 40 (BBC Sport)
• Root could have 5–6 more years in Tests depending on form and fitness

Factors that could accelerate or slow Root’s chase

• England’s busy Test schedule gives Root more opportunities
• Injury or form dips could delay the milestone
• Root has said breaking the record is not his primary motivation (IPL.com)

The implication: Root’s quiet consistency puts him on track, but the record will depend on how many matches he plays in his mid-to-late thirties.

Is Joe Root the best English batsman ever?

How Root compares to other English greats

• Root surpassed Alastair Cook’s record of 12,472 Test runs (ICC Hall of Fame)
• Kevin Pietersen hit 8,181 Test runs; Graham Gooch managed 8,900 (Wikipedia)
• Root has 41 Test centuries, more than any other English batsman (IPL.com)

By the numbers, Root already leads English batting. The debate is about era and longevity.

Root’s record as a batsman and captain

• As captain (52 matches) he averaged 46.7 and scored 14 centuries (Wikipedia)
• After stepping down, his batting average has been notably higher

The trade-off: captaincy may have suppressed his personal numbers. Post-captaincy, Root’s output suggests he could be even better.

The catch: Root still needs to sustain that post-captaincy surge for a few more seasons to seal the debate beyond numbers.

Who is better, Babar or Joe Root?

Comparing Test and ODI records

• Root averages ~50 in Tests, ~50 in ODIs (Wikipedia)
• Babar averages ~50 in Tests, ~57 in ODIs (IPL.com)
• Root has more Test runs and centuries, Babar has higher ODI average

In Tests, Root’s longevity and volume give him a clear edge. In ODIs, Babar’s superior average and strike rate put him ahead.

The numbers confirm Root dominates Tests while Babar leads the ODI format — a split verdict that depends on which format matters more to the observer.

Head-to-head stats

• They have faced each other in only a handful of matches, with neither dominating
• Root has more experience in high-pressure Test series

The pattern: Root is the more complete Test batter; Babar excels in ODIs and is still building his Test resume.

Why does Joe Root wear 66?

The origin of the number 66

• Root wears 66 because it was a spare number given to him early in his career (IPL.com)
• He kept it as a superstition and has never changed it
• No deeper meaning—no hero or event behind the choice

Root himself explained that the number was assigned without fanfare and he simply kept it out of habit.

The lesson: sometimes the simplest stories behind a player’s quirks reveal more about their mindset than any grand narrative.

How old is Joe Root’s wife, Carrie Cotterell?

Carrie Cotterell’s age and background

• Carrie Cotterell is a physiotherapist (Wikipedia)
• She married Joe Root in 2018
• They have two children together
• Her exact age is not publicly confirmed; she is believed to be in her early 30s

Root keeps his family life private, sharing only occasional glimpses on social media.

Root’s family life

• Root has spoken about how fatherhood changed his perspective on cricket
• He often credits his wife for supporting his career

The balance Root strikes between public duty and private life mirrors the same steady approach he brings to the crease.

What did Joe Root say about Sachin Tendulkar?

Root’s admiration for Tendulkar

• Root called Sachin Tendulkar a “hero” and “legend” (IPL.com)
• He said that attempting to break Tendulkar’s record is not his primary motivation
• Root respects Tendulkar’s longevity and achievements

“He is the greatest batsman of all time, and any comparison is an honor.”

Joe Root on Sachin Tendulkar (Indian Express)

Root has repeatedly deflected comparisons, insisting that emulating Tendulkar’s longevity is more meaningful than chasing a single number.

Timeline: Joe Root’s career milestones

• 2012 – Test debut against India
• 2015 – First Test century (against West Indies)
• 2017 – Appointed England Test captain
• 2021 – Scored 228 against Sri Lanka
• 2024 – Became England’s highest Test run-scorer

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Joe Root is England’s highest Test run-scorer (Indian Express)
• He wears jersey number 66 (Wikipedia)
• His wife is Carrie Cotterell (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

• Whether Root will surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s Test run record (BBC Sport)
• Exact age of his wife (Wikipedia)
• Whether Root is definitively the best English batsman ever
• Whether his 41 Test centuries will hold as the final tally — sourced from IPL.com, a tier-three reference

For English cricket fans, the choice is clear: Root is already their greatest Test batsman by the numbers. The only question is how high his final tally will be—and whether that chase brings him past Tendulkar or falls just short. For Root himself, the motivation isn’t records; it’s contributing to team wins, one innings at a time.

Frequently asked questions