Joe Root recently made headlines by surpassing Sir Alastair Cook to become England’s leading Test run-scorer against Pakistan. However, as the cricketing world looks ahead, former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has posed a critical question: What will it take for Root to be regarded as an all-time great in the same league as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson?
While Root has impressively accumulated 35 Test centuries, he faces a significant challenge: he has yet to score a century during an away Ashes series. In 27 innings played in Australia, his average stands at 35.68, with a highest score of 89.
Lehmann emphasized that this lack of achievement keeps Root from joining the ranks of cricket’s elite. He stated that other top players have consistently excelled across various conditions and against diverse opposition.
“I think he’s a great player, but is he an all-time great? I don’t have him in that realm,” said Lehmann on ABC Sport. He noted that making runs globally is essential for earning the title of all-time great, something players like Smith, Kohli, and others have accomplished.
In 2014, former New Zealand cricketer Martin Crowe dubbed Root, Smith, Kohli, and Williamson the Fab Four, heralding them as future legends of Test cricket. Since England’s last Ashes tour, Root has been in remarkable form, notching 12 centuries and 11 fifties, showcasing his batting prowess.
As the England cricket team prepares for their upcoming series against New Zealand starting on Wednesday, they remain focused on regaining the Ashes—previously drawn in 2023—during the winter of 2025-26.
With these challenges ahead, Root’s pursuit of greatness will be closely watched not only by fans but also by pundits who continue to debate what it truly means to be among cricket’s finest.
As the cricket landscape evolves with emerging talents and seasoned players alike, Joe Root must capitalize on his upcoming opportunities to further cement his legacy in the sport.
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