Joe Root produced a masterful 166 not out off 139 balls to steer England to a thrilling three-wicket victory over the West Indies in Cardiff, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Metro Bank ODI series.
The 34-year-old's career-best ODI innings rescued England from a perilous 133 for five whilst chasing 309, demonstrating his enduring class in the 50-over format.
Root's magnificent knock saw him become the first Englishman to surpass 7,000 ODI runs, overhauling former captain Eoin Morgan's previous record of 6,957.
The Yorkshire batsman guided England home with seven balls to spare at Sophia Gardens, marking the nation's first ODI series triumph since September 2023 under Harry Brook's captaincy.
Joe Root was in top form after England beat West Indies
Reuters
Root insisted he remains nowhere near winding down despite reaching another career milestone.
"I want to give as much as I can for England for as long as I can," he said after becoming England's most prolific ODI run-scorer.
"I've still got a lot to give and a lot more runs in there and hopefully, an innings like that shows that."
The record-breaking batsman, who is also England's leading Test run-scorer, expressed his burning desire to help rebuild the 50-over team.
"Until that desire, that want to get better every day, want to add to the group and want to be not out at the end of a chase like that, when that's not a burning desire any more, it will be time to stop," Root explained.
England's pursuit of the West Indies' total of 308 all out appeared doomed after a disastrous start that saw them slump to two for two early on.
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The hosts found themselves in further trouble at 133 for five, with their chances of victory looking increasingly remote against Keacy Carty's impressive century that had anchored the tourists' innings.
Root's record-breaking performance saw him surpass Morgan's long-standing tally, with the former England captain having accumulated 6,957 runs during his distinguished ODI career.
"It's a sign you're getting old, having played as many games as that," Root said with a smile after reaching 7,082 runs.
Joe Root became the first English batsman to surpass 7,000 runs in ODI cricket
Reuters
The dramatic chase unfolded at a blustery Sophia Gardens, where England's fielding had earlier been ragged with four dropped catches.
Root praised Harry Brook's tactical acumen and leadership qualities following England's series-clinching victory.
"As much as he's an idiot away from cricket – and I can say that because I've known him forever – he's very cricket intelligent," Root said of his fellow Yorkshireman.
"He understands the game exceptionally well."
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Joe Root has insisted there is more to come from him
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Root believes Brook's different approach to field placements and game management came to the fore during the match at Sophia Gardens.
"I think that's what will make him a really good leader as well," he added.
"I think you saw he might see the game slightly differently, and he might do things differently, but it asked different questions."
Brook has guided England to their first ODI series triumph since September 2023, replacing Jos Buttler who rarely had a full-strength squad available during his tenure as white-ball captain.
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