England captain Joe Root 'humbled' to be named ICC men's Test Player of the Year
- Sean Fisher
- 24 January 2022
In what was a disappointing year for England, Root managed to stand out, with his 1,708 runs in 2021 ranking the third most in a calendar year.
It was certainly a testing year for England in 2021, but one silver lining has been the superb performances of team captain, Joe Root.
The 31-year-old shattered records despite the overall disappointing performances of the side, and has been awarded for his efforts by being named as the ICC's men's Player of the Year.
Root registered two double centuries and four further hundreds, including three successive centuries during the Test against India in the summer.
In total he amassed a remarkable 1,708 runs in 2021, a tally only topped by Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf (1,788 in 2006) and West Indies great Viv Richards (1,710 in 1976).
The winner of the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2021. An incredible year from the King, @root66 👑 pic.twitter.com/7HjcWmUent
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 24, 2022
The award comes at a time where Root's position as captain is under scrutiny, but also serves as a timely reminder of just how well he has performed in the last 12 months.
In winning the award, Root became just the second Englishman to be handed the title after Sir Alistair Cook in 2011.
Following his win, Root said, "I am incredibly proud to receive this award,
"I am very humbled to be in the same breath as a number of wonderful players around the world and it means a huge amount to have got this award.
"If there was one hundred that really sticks out it would probably be in Chennai (he scored 218 in February) against India. With it being my 100th game it is something that will live long in the memory."
Every scoring shot from @root66's 💯 against India at Headingley this summer 💪
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 24, 2022
One of 6️⃣ centuries for the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year in 2021 👏 pic.twitter.com/6DBNovmD1R
England rounded off the year with a 4-0 loss in The Ashes, marking the 11th loss they've suffered in 15 Tests last year.
However, Root still managed to stand out in a poor batting outfit, with his total run tally three times more than Rory Burns in second place - he managed 530.
England's next Test will be against the West Indies in March, where Root is set to captain the side.
