Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Joe Root Breaks Test Catching Record Against Pakistan
Joe Root set a new Test cricket record for catches by a fielder.
He caught Pakistan’s Azan Awais during England’s match against Pakistan.
The catch came at leg slip after Jofra Archer bowled the ball.
Root had helped plan the fielding position with Archer.
The catch gave Root 219 Test catches, one more than Steve Smith.
India’s Rahul Dravid is third on the list with 210 catches.
England were later dismissed for 409 runs.
Pakistan had made 171 in their first innings, so England led by 238 runs.
Root had also scored 66 runs and made his 68th Test fifty earlier in the match.
Joe Root took his 219th Test catch to surpass Steve Smith’s record of 218.
Root dismissed Pakistan opener Azan Awais for nine at leg slip off Jofra Archer.
The record catch came on Day 3 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds.
England were bowled out for 409 after adding 43 runs to their overnight 366/8.
England gained a 238-run first-innings lead after Pakistan were dismissed for 171.
- Who
- England’s Joe Root, Pakistan opener Azan Awais, and England bowler Jofra Archer were central to the record-breaking dismissal.
- What
- Root became Test cricket’s leading fielder for catches, reaching 219.
- When
- Friday, August 21, on Day 3 of the first Test.
- Where
- Headingley in Leeds.
- Why
- Awais edged Archer’s delivery, sending the ball to Root at leg slip.
- New record
- Joe Root has 219 Test catches.
- Previous record
- Steve Smith held the record with 218 catches.
- Top three
- Root has 219 catches, Smith 218, and Rahul Dravid 210.
- Root’s batting milestone
- He scored 66 from 112 deliveries and made his 68th Test fifty.
- England’s score
- England were all out for 409 after starting the day at 366/8.
- Pakistan’s score
- Pakistan were dismissed for 171 in their first innings.
- Bowling figures
- Khurram Shahzad took 3/133; Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue took five wickets each in Pakistan’s first innings.
