Joe Root is now England’s top run-scorer in Test match history. After vaulting past Sir Alastair Cook, only four men – Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid – have scored more Test runs than Root.

Tendulkar stands atop the Test pile with 15,921 runs and still 3,448 more than Root at the point that the Yorkshireman edged past Cook’s tally.

With Test schedules being pared back, it is now essentially impossible for players from outside the ‘big three’ to overtake Tendulkar. For example, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson will not be a contender for the top spot despite making his Test debut two years before Root and averaging four runs more.

Even Steve Smith, who also made his debut two years before Root and averages six more, lies 3,000 runs behind his tally, though he did miss a year’s cricket because of his ban.

If Root overtakes Tendulkar, then, he will probably be the last man ever to do so – and therefore be the owner of the record for most runs in Test cricket which is never beaten.

Most important to Root’s chances of breaking the record is his desire to play on. How many times can a great Test cricketer return to the well?

At the same age, three months before turning 34, Cook retired from Test cricket, weighed down by the format’s demands. “It’s been something that’s been coming for 12-18 months,” Cook explained when he retired. “There is definitely something missing.”

Since Root relinquished the Test captaincy two years ago, there has been no hint of anything missing. Instead, back in the ranks, he feels like “Peter Pan”. Root is now playing his 147th Test. Incredibly, he has only missed two since his debut – one when he was dropped in 2014 in Australia, the other when on paternity leave in 2020. All cricketers, even batsmen, tend to pick up more injuries in their 30s; Root’s back has occasionally caused him discomfort.

Until the start of the series in Pakistan, Root had scored 3,515 runs in his past 40 Tests – just over the tally that he needs to overtake Tendulkar. Aged 33, Root appears to be in his prime. History would suggest that, as he approaches his mid-30s, his returns will taper somewhat.

Telegraph Sport has worked out how – providing he remains fit – Root might mount his assault on Tendulkar’s record and when top spot could be his.

October 2024: Pakistan (a, 3 Tests): 270 runs at 45, taking total to 12,672
Root performed modestly in Pakistan last time but he should improve on that record this time, especially with the runs scored in his first innings of the tour.

November-December 2024: New Zealand (a, 3 Tests): 300 runs at 50, taking total to 12,972
Root averages 52.5 in New Zealand, thriving on wickets that tend to be flat by the time the middle order arrive.

May 2025: Zimbabwe (h, 1 Test): 60 runs at 60, taking total to 13,032
The Test against Zimbabwe might be a chance for Root to accelerate his assault on Tendulkar’s record – though there is a reasonable chance that he will only bat once.

June-August 2025: India (h, 5 Tests): 420 runs at 42, taking total to 13,462
Root has an outstanding record against India, averaging 58.1, but he will be challenged by India’s outstanding seam attack, which might also mean that he often has to walk out to bat while the ball is still new.

November 2025-January 2026: Australia (a, 5 Tests): 370 runs at 37, taking total to 13,822
Root’s final frontier? He has been very consistent Down Under, reaching 50 nine times in 14 Tests – but he is yet to score an away Ashes century. Australia’s attack might be ageing, but remain outstanding; the country’s pitches have also become more bowler-friendly in recent years.

June 2026: New Zealand (h, 3 Tests): 270 runs at 45, taking total to 14,092
Matt Henry and New Zealand’s young quicks will challenge Root in early summer conditions, making this a tricky test.

August-September 2026: Pakistan (h, 3 Tests): 330 runs at 55, taking total to 14,422
In 2016 Root made his highest Test score, 254, at home to Pakistan, who have struggled recently.

December 2026-February 2027: South Africa (a, 3 Tests): 240 runs at 40, taking total to 14,662
Root averages a fine 50.2 in South Africa, but can expect to encounter spicy wickets.

February 2027: Bangladesh (a, 2 Tests): 200 runs at 50, taking total to 14,862
Root only averaged 24.5 on England’s last tour to Bangladesh, which was drawn 1-1, but the country should suit his quality against spin. He averages 63.5 against spin in his Test career, compared to 47.3 against pace.

March 2027: Australia (a, 1 Test): 80 runs at 40, taking total to 14,942
A one-off Test in Melbourne, to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Test cricket. If he makes it this far, will almost certainly be Root’s final Test in Australia.

Summer 2027: likely 1 Test v TBC: 60 runs at 60, taking total to 15,002
A curtain-raiser before the Ashes. Root might face a relatively modest attack; but if he does, he might only get to bat once.

Summer 2027: Ashes (5, Tests): 360 runs at 36, taking toal to 15,362
Aged 36, will Root be gently declining? The history of great batsmen in Test cricket suggests so, although Graham Gooch is a notable exception.

2027-28: TBC (5 Tests?): 350 runs at 35, taking total to 15,712
Unknown opponents, but England could return to India – which would be logical, four years since their last tour there.

Summer 2028: 6 Tests v TBC: 390 runs at 35.5, taking total to 16,102
Another unknown, but England will not host Australia or India this summer. Will Root, aged 37, be showing signs of waning by now? But, at the start of the summer, he will be only 138 runs away from beating Tendulkar’s tally.

In 1977, at Headingley one of Yorkshire’s favourite sons Sir Geoffrey Boycott, scored his 100th first-class century in a Test there against Australia. Fifty-one years later, Root might be able to toast an even more extraordinary achievement. The only shame is that Headingley is not due to host a Test in 2028.