Joe Root Named PCA Men’s ODI Player of the Summer for a Second Time

Joe Root has retained the Professional Cricketers’ Association Men’s ODI Player of the Summer award after a productive white-ball season for England.

The PCA confirmed the honour on September 27, the day Root played in England’s last ODI of the summer, against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

Root’s summer in numbers

Root finished with 326 ODI runs at an average of 54.33. His series against India was the highlight: he made 249 runs in three matches and was never dismissed, scoring 76, 99 and 74 as England won the series.

England won four of their six ODIs this summer and took series victories over both India and Sri Lanka. They lost only two white-ball matches in the whole campaign.

Root on England’s progress

Root said the group is improving and learning all the time and moving in the right direction with the 2027 World Cup approaching. He also pointed to the squad’s depth, noting that several players stepped in during a summer disrupted by injuries and performed well. That depth, he said, will be needed given the amount of cricket coming up.

Enjoying his ODI return

After a spell away from regular ODI cricket, Root is again a key part of England’s plans. He said getting back into the rhythm of the format has been rewarding, and that he likes where the team is heading and how it is building towards the World Cup, which acts as an incentive for the whole group.

With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, Root and England will aim to carry the momentum from their 2026 white-ball summer into the next phase.