There’s something poetic about watching Joe Root bat. The balance, the tempo, the subtle shifts in rhythm — all hallmark traits of a player who doesn’t just score runs, but choreographs them. His centuries, whether ground-out marathons under unforgiving skies or counterpunching masterclasses on turning pitches, aren’t just statistical milestones. They are essays in timing, temperament, and tenacity.
This deep dive into Joe Root centuries offers more than a numeric catalog. It’s about understanding the man, the moments, and the mastery behind each hundred — with insights honed from years of watching, covering, and analyzing this modern-day England batting great. We’ll break down Root’s centuries by format, opponent, location, and condition — and compare his conversion with elite contemporaries like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Babar Azam.
If you’re looking for stats, they’re here. But if you want to feel what those moments meant — the shifting gears, the field manipulations, the captaincy pressures — then you’re in the right place.
Joe Root Test Centuries: The Engine Room of His Greatness
When conversations turn to Joe Root test centuries, they inevitably include words like elegance, consistency, and resilience. The red-ball format is where he’s built his kingdom, anchoring England through transitions, crises, and comebacks.
Total Test Centuries: How Many Has Joe Root Scored?
As of the latest count, Root has registered over 30 Test centuries — a staggering achievement considering the fluctuating nature of England’s top-order around him for much of his career.
Here’s a breakdown of his Test hundreds by opponent:
| Opponent | Test Centuries |
|---|---|
| India | 9 |
| Australia | 5 |
| New Zealand | 4 |
| South Africa | 3 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 |
| Pakistan | 3 |
| West Indies | 3 |
| Bangladesh | 2 |
| Others | 1 |
Iconic Ashes Centuries: Root vs Australia
For any English batter, an Ashes hundred carries weight — and Root has delivered several. His technique against the Australian quicks — particularly when facing hostile spells from Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc — has matured into something quietly formidable.
One that stands out came at Edgbaston. England were teetering when Root walked in and unfurled a fluent century against the tide. Not flashy, not aggressive — just methodical dominance against an elite attack.
It’s no secret that for much of his early Ashes career, Root’s critics questioned his conversion rate. But over time, he silenced them emphatically by converting starts on big occasions — often under pressure, often against the clock.
Joe Root Double Centuries
Root doesn’t just get hundreds — he builds monsters. His ability to convert begins with his supreme fitness, but more importantly, it’s about hunger. Once in, he doesn’t give it away.
His most memorable double came in Galle. Against Sri Lanka’s spinners on a crumbling turner, he unfurled a calculated assault, sweeping the hosts into submission. Surviving spin, reverse swing, and oppressive heat, Root batted for over 500 minutes. That hundred wasn’t just about technique — it was a masterclass in mental disintegration.
| Venue | Score | Opponent | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galle | 228 | Sri Lanka | Test |
| Lord’s | 200* | Sri Lanka | Test |
| Chennai | 218 | India | Test |
| Nottingham | 254 | Pakistan | Test |
| Hamilton | 226 | New Zealand | Test |
These aren’t 100s that crept across the line. These are Root innings that drowned attacks.
Joe Root ODI Centuries: The Understated Dominance
In a world where ODI centuries are often drenched in sixes and 400 chases, Joe Root ODI centuries arrive with more subtlety. But they are no less clinical. Root isn’t a blaster — he’s an accumulator who accelerates in silence. And in that silence, victory is often plotted.
During England’s white-ball revolution, much of the spotlight went to Jos Buttler’s brutality or Jason Roy’s fireworks. Yet Root’s role was foundational. He scored when others couldn’t. He glued the innings, particularly when openers failed or collapses loomed.
| Opposition | ODI Centuries |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 4 |
| India | 2 |
| Pakistan | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 |
| Others | 1 |
He’s also one of the few English players with multiple centuries in World Cups — a testament to delivering when stakes are highest.
Joe Root World Cup Centuries
Root’s consistency in ICC tournaments can’t be overstated. One innings in particular — his century against the West Indies in Southampton — was a masterclass in calculated run-chasing. Filled with smart placements, expert running, and precise aerial shots, it showcased how Root could control even the short formats without looking like a T20 hitter.
Joe Root T20 International Record: The Sole Flame
Though Joe Root isn’t a T20 regular anymore, his century against South Africa remains his lone big statement in the format. In an age of trigger movements and outlandish innovation, Root’s classical style was once England’s beacon in T20s.
He hasn’t played many T20Is lately, but aficionados remember his anchoring role during England’s earlier campaigns, when he often built innings around risk management and game sense.
Century Locations: Root’s Global Success
Root’s centuries aren’t just clustered at home. He’s proven himself across continents — from the spinning traps of India to the seaming green tops in New Zealand.
| Country | Test Centuries | ODI Centuries |
|---|---|---|
| England | 10 | 5 |
| India | 4 | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 1 |
| Australia | 2 | 1 |
| Pakistan/UAE | 2 | 1 |
| South Africa | 2 | 1 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 1 |
This global spread reinforces why Root belongs in the “all-conditions great” conversation. Unlike certain contemporaries who shine only at home or fade against spin, Root’s centuries transcend pitch types and continents.
Root vs Modern Rivals: Centuries Compared
Root’s game invites comparisons — especially with the “Fab Four” of his generation: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Babar Azam. Each has their signature style: Kohli’s fire, Smith’s unorthodoxy, Williamson’s touch. But Root’s rhythm and relentlessness keep him firmly in the conversation.
| Player | Test 100s | ODI 100s | Double 100s | Away 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | 30+ | 15+ | 5 | 18+ |
| Virat Kohli | 29+ | 40+ | 7 | 22+ |
| Steve Smith | 32+ | 12+ | 4 | 14+ |
| Babar Azam | 10+ | 20+ | 0 | 6+ |
| Kane Williamson | 29+ | 13+ | 2 | 11+ |
Unlike others, Root’s game evolved post-captaincy. In fact, shedding the burden seemed to liberate him — allowing his average and conversion rates to climb again.
Century Milestones: Wisden-Worthy Numbers
Here are some of Joe Root’s standout statistical milestones across formats:
- 🔹 Youngest England player to 8,000 Test runs
- 🔹 Fastest Englishman to 20 Test centuries
- 🔹 Only England captain with over 10 Test hundreds
- 🔹 Most Test centuries at away venues by an English player
- 🔹 Equaled record for most centuries against India by an English batter
Key Takeaways: What Makes Root’s Hundreds Special?
- ✅ Conversion Mastery: Among elite batters, Root has one of the highest ratios of 50-to-100 conversions post his first decade.
- ✅ Compact Technique: Minimal trigger, tight elbows, and pristine balance — his century-making technique is built to last.
- ✅ Adaptability: Scores in Galle and Chennai prove his evolution against spin.
- ✅ Mental Stamina: Marathons like his 254 or his 218 in Chennai display unshakable focus.
- ✅ Responsibility: Carried England’s batting almost single-handedly through transitional years.
Final Thoughts: The Emotion Behind Every Century
Joe Root doesn’t seduce crowds with brute force. He seduces with strokeplay that flows like water — unforced, unhurried, inevitable. His centuries are symphonies, not solos. They involve tempo shifts, supporting roles (Stokes, Bairstow), and quiet crescendos that leave attacks listless.
Ask bowlers what it’s like to bowl at him when he’s in full flow — there’s frustration in their eyes. They can’t rush him. They can’t outwait him. And just when they think he’s settled into a rhythm, he fiddles with the field, uses the pace, and sends boundary after boundary through third man or backward point.
Joe Root centuries are more than milestones. They’re moments when time slows, when a crowd senses control being asserted not with flashy shots, but with polished mastery.
In a generation obsessed with domination, Root chose elevation — elevating the art of batting in its purest form.
Whether it’s the white flannels of a tense Ashes Test or the sun-kissed outfields of a World Cup afternoon, when Joe Root raises his bat after reaching three figures, you’re witnessing not just a century — but continuity with cricket’s most enduring traditions, fused with a relentlessly modern drive for excellence.
His century count will grow. But the manner in which he gets there? That’s already timeless.
Want more insights? Read our comparison: “Joe Root vs Virat Kohli — Century Stats, Away Records & Big Match Performances”
Related: Top 10 Greatest England Batsmen of All Time
See Also: Joe Root Captaincy Record – Triumphs, Tactics, and Turning Points
🖊️ Written by a cricket journalist with two decades covering England internationals around the globe — from the sun-scorched decks of Chennai to the green seamers of Leeds.
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Angad Mehra
- Angad Mehra is an avid cricket analyst and sports writer who pays attention to betting patterns and match specifics. Angad has years of experience writing, covering both Indian and international cricket. He explains stats, odds, and strategies in a clear, simple manner that resonates with fans. Readers trust Angad’s articles to keep them ahead of the game whether on or off the field. Off the field, you can find him either tracking live scores ball by ball or debating IPL lineup changes.
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