Joe Root slams first ODI fifty against Australia since 2018
What's the story
Star England batter Joe Root has completed his 41st half-century in ODI cricket. Root reached the mark in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy encounter against arch-rivals Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Root, England's most prolific batter, added a 150-plus stand with Ben Duckett after England lost Philip Salt and Jamie Smith within 50 runs. He also completed 20,500 runs in ODI cricket.
Knock
Meticulous knock from Root
Root played a traditional ODI knock after England lost two quick wickets in the first powerplay. He joined forces with Duckett, having firmly held his fort. The latter didn't let the Aussie bowlers settle by constantly rotating the strike. His meticulous technique against spinners grabbed eyeballs. Adam Zampa trapped Root in front in the 31st over. He slammed a 78-ball 68 (4 fours).
Century
Root awaits ODI ton
Root has not scored an ODI ton since June 2019. His last century came in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup when he scored a match-winning 100*(94) against the West Indies. Overall, Root now has 41 half-centuries and 16 tons in the format. Root has racked up 6,702 runs from 175 ODIs at an average of 47.53.
Information
Maiden ODI ton against Australia
As per Cricbuzz, Root recorded his first fifty-plus score in 11 ODI innings against Australia (since June 2018). The English batter could have completed his maiden ton against this opposition in the format (in 30 ODIs).
Milestone
First English batter with 20,500 international runs
With his first run in the match, Root also completed 20,500 runs in international cricket. Notably, Alastair Cook remains the only other player to have scored over 15,000 runs for England across formats (15,737). Root has 52 tons, the most for England in international cricket. He has slammed over 12,000 of his international runs in Test cricket.