(Source X)
Joe Root, the prominent English batsman and former Test captain, has signed up to represent Paarl Royals in the upcoming third season of SA20. The 33-year-old right-handed batsman holds the record for the highest run tally by an English player in international cricket, amassing 19,355 runs across 345 matches in various formats for England.
Root was a key member of the Eoin Morgan-led team that reached the final of the 2016 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India. In his T20I career spanning 32 matches, he has accumulated 893 runs at a strike rate of 126.30.
“We all know what a phenomenal player Joe Root is, and to have him back at the Royals is a great feeling,” the Royals’ Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, said.
“He (Root) has been a great contributor to all the teams he has represented over the years and has also proven to be a valuable all-rounder with his bowling and fielding attributes. As we saw during IPL 2023 and have also seen over the years, he is also a great team man and has the ability to help his teammates develop both on and off the field. We are looking forward to using his expertise, his personality, his brains, and also his performances on the field to strive towards a successful SA20 season in 2025,” he added.
Root joined Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2023 season, where he appeared in three matches under the leadership of Sanju Samson. Despite the opportunity, he struggled to make an impact, registering only 10 runs during his outings.
Throughout his career, the 33-year-old has participated in a total of 105 T20 matches, showcasing his skills across prominent franchise leagues like the Indian Premier League (Rajasthan Royals), Australia’s Big Bash League (Sydney Thunder), and the T20 league in the UAE (Dubai Capitals).
