Joe Root scored his 10,000th Test run in England’s dramatic victory over New Zealand at Lord’s.

Sir Alastair Cook, England’s all-time leading Test run scorer, believes Joe Root will “go miles beyond” his record after becoming only the second Englishman to score 10,000 Test runs.

Root reached the milestone after scoring a match-winning 115 not out against New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s. Cook was at Lord’s as a Test Match Special commentator and was full of praise for Root.

“I’m glad I was there to witness it – an incredible knock by an incredible player. He is England’s most versatile batsman in all formats.”

With the innings, Root has now scored 10,015 Test runs, trailing only Cook, who had 12,472 before retiring in 2018. Cook believes Root, who is only 31 years old and is no longer captain, will go on to become England’s all-time leading run scorer.

“He’s a joy to watch; he’s the most complete England batsman I’ve seen,” he said. “Kevin Pietersen could play the most incredible innings, but Joe Root is the most complete batsman in all three forms.” His consistency is astounding. Barring an injury, he’ll smash my record. He is extremely difficult to restrain “I had to work my way up to 30, which took me what felt like two hours. Joe will frequently get to 30 off 40 balls because he has so many low-risk scoring options all around him.”

Cook was England’s captain when Root, then 21, made his Test debut against India in 2012, scoring a composed 73 in the first innings and 20 not out in the second. “He was a very good spinner, as good as anyone,” Cook continued.