Joe Root Goes Past Paul Collingwood to Become England’s 3rd Most Capped ODI Player

Joe Root has added another line to his already crowded résumé. By taking the field against Pakistan in Lahore, the England star played his 198th ODI and moved past Paul Collingwood into third on the country’s all-time list. The milestone arrived on a high-pressure day for a team fighting to stay alive.

Root Climbs England’s ODI Cap Chart

Root walked out for the fourth match of the tri-series on Sunday afternoon as England’s third most capped ODI player. He now sits one appearance clear of Collingwood, who finished on 197.

Only two Englishmen have crossed 200 ODIs. Root is closing in on that elite club, which is made up of two former captains.

The Top Five at a Glance

Among active players, only the injured Jos Buttler is ahead of Root on this list.

A Run Machine Since 2013

Root made his ODI debut against India in Rajkot in January 2013. He has been a fixture in the XI ever since, first at number four and now at number three.

In that time, no other England batter has scored more ODI runs. That is a remarkable record of consistency across more than a decade.

Form Heading Into the Milestone

The timing fits his recent form. Root hit 69 in the previous match to complete 8,000 ODI runs, and he averages over 50 in the format.

It was another sign that the veteran is still a central figure in England’s white-ball plans.

England Fight for Survival in Lahore

The milestone came with the tri-series on the line. England’s batters made a huge 429/4 in their last game against Sri Lanka. The Lankans still chased it down in dramatic fashion, with a ball to spare.

The game before that, in Rawalpindi, England failed to chase 303 in the second innings. The pressure has been building.

What’s at Stake

A win over Pakistan would turn England’s October 29 fixture against Sri Lanka into a virtual semi-final. A loss would knock them out of the tournament.

A Tough Start on a Big Day

The script did not go Root’s way. He fell for 5 off 7 balls, and England were reduced to 11/2 in three overs while batting first.

It was a sharp reminder of how quickly momentum can swing in a tight series.

The Road to World Cup 2027

With the 2027 World Cup approaching, Root is on course to become the most capped ODI player for the 2019 world champions. He needs 28 more appearances to match Eoin Morgan’s 225, and he will pass Buttler’s 204 well before that.

For now, the focus is on the present. England must recover from a shaky start in Lahore and keep their tri-series hopes alive.

Root’s place in England’s ODI history is already secure. The next question is how high he can climb.