Root Breaks Records, Backing Brook’s Leadership
England’s Joe Root has credited a feeling of guilt for not supporting Jos Buttler during his captaincy as the driving force behind his resurgence in limited-overs cricket under Harry Brook. Root’s career-best innings of 166 not out guided England to a series win against West Indies in the second ODI on Sunday, securing a chase of 309 in Cardiff.
Root’s remarkable performance saw him surpass Eoin Morgan’s record to become England’s leading ODI run-scorer, having played 149 ODIs in his career. His previous high was 6,957 runs, but after this century, he now sits comfortably at the top. Root’s ODI resurgence came after a few challenging years, especially during the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Champions Trophy campaigns, where he was part of a struggling side and played limited 50-over cricket.
Root’s Motivating Factor: Supporting Brook
Root admits that his renewed drive comes from wanting to support Harry Brook, as he felt he hadn’t been there for Buttler during his tenure as captain. “I played a huge amount of cricket with Jos and almost felt guilty that I wasn’t there for him throughout a lot of his tenure,” Root said.
Now, with eight ODIs under his belt in 2025, Root is feeling confident and committed to playing as much as possible for England. “Whether that’s helping younger players with my experience or contributing with the bat on the field, I’m eager to make the team better,” Root added. His hundred in the second ODI reflects his strong form, proving that he still has plenty to offer.
Building Consistency for the Team
Root emphasized the importance of consistency for England’s team and the desire to build something lasting together, similar to what they achieved before the 2019 World Cup. “I feel we can be a consistent team, and hopefully, we can keep building on that,” he said, looking forward to further successes under Brook’s leadership.
Brook’s Leadership Praised by Root
Following his century, Root also praised Harry Brook, acknowledging his leadership on and off the field. Brook’s first ODI series win as captain was secured against West Indies, and his captaincy continues to impress. Root, however, couldn’t resist making a playful remark about his teammate’s intelligence off the field.
“Harry is still an idiot,” Root joked, adding, “I can say that because I’ve known him forever. But he’s incredibly cricket intelligent and understands the game exceptionally well. That’s why he’s so consistent and why he’ll be a great leader.” Root was particularly impressed with Brook’s field placements during the match, which added pressure and led to crucial wickets.
Looking Ahead: ODI World Cup Qualifying
Root’s performance and leadership from both on and off the field show the value he still brings to England’s ODI squad. His excellent form, paired with Brook’s leadership, sets the team up for their 2027 ODI World Cup qualification. The series win against West Indies gave them a strong foundation, and Root is eager to contribute to England’s ongoing success in the limited-overs format.
