Joe Root Plays 169th Test to Move Into Third on All-Time Appearances List
Joe Root’s 169th Test, at Edgbaston against Pakistan, lifts him past Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh into third place on the all-time Test caps list.
By SportCricket Desk · 9 Sep 2026 · 2 min read
Joe Root has moved into third place among the most-capped Test players in history. Playing at Edgbaston, he made his 169th appearance, passing Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh, who had both finished on 168.
Root’s career numbers
Before the Edgbaston match, Root had scored 14,208 Test runs at 50.38, with 41 centuries, 68 fifties and a best of 262. Only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more Test runs. Root has also taken 74 Test wickets.
Most Test appearances
| Player | Country | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 200 |
| James Anderson | England | 188 |
| Joe Root | England | 169 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 168 |
| Steve Waugh | Australia | 168 |
Tendulkar played his 200 Tests between 1989 and 2013, and Anderson retired from international cricket in 2024 after 188.
Series context
England went into the third Test against Pakistan leading 2-0. Root had passed fifty in each of the first two matches but was still looking for his first hundred of the series.
With more Tests to come, he can climb higher on the appearances list while continuing to chase further batting records.
