Joe Root has scripted history against Australia, reaching his 50th ODI half-century and achieving a first-ever feat for England in the format.
He made 62 off 68 balls on Sunday, in a game England won by 135 runs. That takes him to 652 ODI runs in 2026 from 11 matches, at an average of 93.1, with seven fifties.
A year in which Root has hardly been dismissed cheaply
Root's 62 came at a strike rate of 91, a touch quicker than his 86 for the year. Only one player in the format this year has scored more runs than his 652, and only four have hit more fours than his 56.
Joe Root has been just as productive in the longer game. His Test record since 2017 stands at 8,697 runs in 105 matches, with a highest score of 262, and his ODI tally since 2017 is 3,790 runs in 91 matches.
He added a sharp contribution with the ball on Sunday, taking 0/4, though his three wickets this year rank him 96th.
Joe Root in 2026 ODIs
One Day Internationals, ODI 2026
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Matches | 11 |
| Runs | 652 |
| Average | 93.1 |
| Strike rate | 86.4 |
| 50+ scores | 7 |
| Fours | 56 |
England bounce back after a heavy defeat
England needed the response. On Friday they lost by seven wickets. Sunday brought 355/6 in 50 overs, a run rate of 7.10, and Australia were all out for 220.
The win leaves England with 25 wins from their last 59 ODIs, 42 per cent, and a last five in the format of WLWLW. Across all formats they have won two of their last five matches.
Australia have the better long-run ODI record. They have won 34 of their last 59, 58 per cent, but their last five read LLWWL. Sunday's 135-run defeat leaves Australia with five wins from their last ten matches in all formats.
Record by format
Both sides, in each format
| Side, format | P | W | L | Win % | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England ODI | 59 | 25 | 34 | 42% | WLWLW |
| Australia ODI | 59 | 34 | 25 | 58% | LLWWL |
| England T20I | 58 | 38 | 20 | 66% | WLLLW |
| Australia T20I | 59 | 40 | 19 | 68% | LWWWW |
The recent results, and what comes next
Sunday's result levelled the ODI series at one win each. Australia took the first game on Friday by seven wickets.
The sides meet again on Wednesday 18 November at 03:30 UK time, with the series in the balance, and England will want Joe Root in the same form.
Results, newest first
England's last five matches
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