Joe Root has set a new world record in Test cricket by taking his 211th catch as a non-wicketkeeper during the Lord’s Test against India. The historic moment occurred in the 21st over of India’s innings when Karun Nair edged a delivery from Ben Stokes to the slips. Root dived to his left and completed an impressive one-handed catch. Prior to this match, Root was tied with former Indian captain Rahul Dravid at 210 catches. With this catch, Root now holds the record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in the 148-year history of Test cricket.
Joe Root, known for his run-scoring abilities, has over 13,200 runs in Test cricket right now. What was being discussed the most by the cricket fans is how Joe Root can climb up the list of the all-time highest run-getters of Test cricket, which has Sachin Tendulkar’s name with 15,921 runs at the top. However, Joe Root almost silently accomplished the ‘fielder’s record’ equivalent to that.
Dravid now sits second on the list, followed by Mahela Jayawardene with 205, Steve Smith with 200, and Jacques Kallis also with 200. Root achieved the feat in just 156 Test matches, while Dravid required 164 Tests for his 210 catches. Root has an average of 0.712 catches per innings, although some players have a higher ratio.
How he got to the milestone has also been appreciated by the cricket fans. At slip, diving towards his left, reacting within less than a second, catching a low one with his left hand – there couldn’t have been a better way to become the all-time highest catch-taker in the history of Test cricket.
This milestone is not Root’s only achievement in the Lord’s Test. Earlier in the match, he scored 104 runs, becoming the third batter to score a century in three consecutive innings at Lord’s. He also notched up his 37th Test century, placing him fifth in the all-time list for most Test centuries, and equaled Steve Smith for the joint-most Test centuries (11) against India.