Lehmann Suggests Root Needs Away Ashes Century for ‘All-Time Great’ Recognition

In October, Joe Root surpassed Sir Alastair Cook to become England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket against Pakistan. Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann contends that Joe Root must achieve a century in Australia to be considered an “all-time great” alongside fellow batters Virat Kohli of India, Australia’s Steve Smith, and New Zealander Kane Williamson. Root has recorded 35 Test centuries, the most by an England batter, but has yet to reach this milestone in an away Ashes series. He has participated in 27 innings in Australia, maintaining an average of 35.68 and with a top score of 89. Lehmann’s remarks followed Australia’s significant 295-run defeat in the opening Test against India, a match in which Kohli scored his 30th overall Test century and his seventh in Australia. When questioned on ABC Sport about whether Root belonged in the same tier, Lehmann responded, “Nope, he is a rung below for that reason.” He further explained, “They’ve made runs all over the world in difficult conditions against different oppositions, and that’s the only thing stopping Joe Root. I think he’s a great player, but is he an all-time great?“I don’t have him in that realm. I think you’ve got to make hundreds all around the world. Smith does, Williamson has, Kohli has, [Rohit] Sharma has – I mean they’re world-class players.” Root, Smith, Williamson, and Kohli were collectively labeled the “Fab Four” by former New Zealand batter Martin Crowe in 2014, who identified them as prospective future legends of Test cricket. Since England’s most recent Ashes tour, Root has displayed exceptional form, accumulating 12 centuries and 11 half-centuries. Ben Stokes’ team aims to reclaim the Ashes, which ended in a draw in 2023, during the winter of 2025-26. A three-Test series in New Zealand is scheduled to commence on Wednesday (22:00 GMT).