Tag: Joe Root

Early Life & Background

Joseph Edward “Joe” Root was born on 30 December 1990 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, into a cricketing family—his grandfather captained Rotherham CC in the Yorkshire League, and his younger brother Billy plays for Glamorgan. Educated at Dore Primary and King Ecgbert School, he later earned a cricket scholarship to Worksop College, where he honed his technique and mental strength. Root also played for Sheffield Collegiate CC, where mentorship from former England captain Michael Vaughan shaped his early potential.

Root’s early years were marked by a strong foundation in both academics and sports, thanks to the supportive environment provided by his family and schools. At Worksop College, he stood out not just as a technically gifted batsman but also as a composed and hardworking individual, often praised for his cricketing discipline from a young age. His performances in age-group cricket for Yorkshire soon brought him into the national spotlight. He progressed through the England youth ranks and was part of the England U-19 squad for the 2010 World Cup, further cementing his status as a rising star in English cricket.

Personal Traits & Lifestyle

Standing 6 ft, Root is known for his calm demeanor and classical batting style. He bats right-handed with a refined technique and bowls part-time off-spin. His composure under pressure and ability to adapt have defined his longevity. Root leads a disciplined lifestyle—balancing training, family time, and recovery—reflecting mental resilience honed since his school and early county days.

Personal Life

Root married Carrie Cotterell in 2018. They met at The Arc bar in Headingley, began dating in 2014, and tied the knot following his proposal ahead of the 2016 T20 World Cup. The couple have two children: Alfred William (b. 7 January 2017) and a daughter born 8 July 2020. Despite the demands of international cricket, Root acknowledges the strains on family life, but remains grateful for Carrie’s unwavering support.

Youth & Domestic Career

• Academy success: Runner-up Player of the Tournament at Bunbury Festival; cricket scholarship to Worksop College.

• Yorkshire early years: Made Second XI debut in 2007, scoring 57; debuted for Yorkshire First XI in a Pro40 match (2009), scoring 63.

• County Championship: Maiden first-class century came in 2011; helped Yorkshire win the title in both 2014 and 2015.

• The Hundred & Overseas: Played for Trent Rockets (2022), and in IPL, joined Rajasthan Royals in 2023.

International Career

Debut & Rise

Root debuted in Tests on 13 December 2012 vs India, scoring some crucial knocks including 73 on debut. He made his ODI debut on 11 January 2013, and T20I debut the previous month .

Career Highlights

• Became England’s full-time Test captain on 13 February 2017.

• Led England to the 2019 World Cup win; he scored two centuries and finished fifth in overall runs (556) .

• Scored his maiden Test double-century as captain in New Zealand (2019), and led successful away series in Sri Lanka 2018 .

• Passed 13,000 Test runs on 22 May 2025, becoming the only Englishman to do so.

• On 9 October 2024, he surpassed Alastair Cook to become England’s highest Test run-scorer at 262 vs Pakistan, also setting a record fourth-wicket stand (454) with Harry Brook.

• Recalled to ODI squad for India and Champions Trophy in early 2025.

Post-Captaincy

Resigned as Test captain in April 2022 after 64 matches. Since then, he has remained a key middle-order batter, amassing 3,117 Test runs across 36 Tests and excelling in England’s new Bazball era.

IPL & Franchise Career

• Signed by Rajasthan Royals in December 2022 for the 2023 IPL season.

• Also played for Trent Rockets (The Hundred, 2022) and IPL specialist squads. While his IPL career is shorter than his Test feats, he remains a dependable top-order batter.