Joe Root reaches 23,000 international runs in first ODI

Joe Root became the eighth player and the first English batter to reach 23,000 international runs, reaching the landmark during England's opening one-day international against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street on September 22, 2026. Root needed only three runs entering the match and reached the mark in his 521st innings, one fewer than Sachin Tendulkar's 522. Only Virat Kohli has reached the milestone faster, in 490 innings. Ricky Ponting required 544 innings. The other batters to pass 23,000 international runs are Rahul Dravid, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis. Two accounts differ on Root's final score. One report said he made 44 from 52 balls, with five fours, before being dismissed by Sri Lanka debutant Sachindu Colombage. Another said he made 48. England were put in to bat and were bowled out for 265 in 48.1 overs, with Harry Brook top-scoring on 67. Asitha Fernando and Colombage took three wickets each. The milestone adds to a run of records for the 35-year-old. Earlier in September, Root moved past Tendulkar's mark of 68 Test fifties with an unbeaten 62 against Pakistan at Edgbaston, taking his tally to 69.