Joe Root claims outright record for most Test catches with 219th grab
Synopsis
Joe Root needed just one catch in the second innings at Headingley to reclaim the outright record for most catches in Test cricket — his 219th putting him one clear of Steve Smith, who had briefly drawn level. With Smith still playing and only one behind, this record may yet change hands again.
Key Takeaways
Joe Root took his 219th Test catch at Headingley on 21 August to reclaim the record for most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket.
Steve Smith sits second on 218 catches, having briefly drawn level after the Darwin Test against Bangladesh.
The record catch dismissed Pakistan opener Azan Awais for 9 , off the bowling of Jofra Archer in the second innings.
India's Rahul Dravid (210), Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene (205), and South Africa's Jacques Kallis (200) complete the top five.
England posted 409 in their first innings, with Harry Brook (91) , Jordan Cox (73) , and Root (66) leading the batting.
Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson each took five wickets to bowl Pakistan out for 171 in the first innings.
England Test captain Joe Root reclaimed the outright record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket during the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds on Friday, 21 August. Root's 219th Test catch moved him clear of Australia's Steve Smith, who had briefly drawn level with the Englishman to share the record.
The Record-Breaking Moment
Root had not taken a catch in the first innings, but he made his mark early in the second when Pakistan came out to bat. Jofra Archer set the trap for left-handed opener Azan Awais — England added a leg slip, and Archer bowled a couple of deliveries outside off before firing a fuller ball into the body. Awais flicked it straight to Root at leg slip, who completed the grab when the batter had scored just nine in the fourth over. The catch was Root's 219th in Tests, putting him one ahead of Smith.
Archer had already removed Imam-ul-Haq for a duck in the second over of the innings, outfoxing the opener with a ball that rose sharper than expected, drawing a glove behind to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Where the All-Time Catchers Stand
With 219 catches, Root now leads the all-time list for non-wicketkeepers in Test cricket. Steve Smith sits second on 218, having taken three catches in the recently concluded Darwin Test against Bangladesh to briefly level the record. India legend Rahul Dravid, the previous sole record-holder, is third on 210. Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene took 205 catches in his career, and South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis ended his career with 200.
England's Commanding First Innings
The record came in the context of a dominant England performance. Their bowlers Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson shared five wickets each to bowl Pakistan out for 171 in the first innings — a spell that reportedly saw the two cut the ball in two halves after their five-fers. England replied emphatically with 409, driven by Harry Brook (91), Jordan Cox (73), and Root himself contributing 66.
Notably, Brook once again fell short of a century at his home ground Headingley, dismissed for 91 — he had previously been removed for 99 at the same venue against India in June last year.
What This Means for Root's Legacy
Root's record underscores a career that has already placed him among the greatest Test batters of his generation. His reinstatement as England Test captain adds another dimension to this milestone. With Smith still active and only one catch behind, the record is likely to be contested further as both players continue at the highest level.
Point of View
Yet they reflect sustained excellence in the field across hundreds of Test appearances. The more intriguing subplot is Smith: active, one behind, and capable of retaking the record at any point. What this record also signals is the durability of Root's Test career at a time when his batting pedigree was already beyond question. His reinstatement as captain adds context — this is a player whose influence on England cricket extends well beyond run-scoring.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joe Root's record for most catches in Test cricket?
Joe Root holds the record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket, with 219 catches. He reclaimed the outright record during the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley on 21 August, moving one clear of Steve Smith.
How did Steve Smith draw level with Joe Root?
Steve Smith took three catches in the Darwin Test against Bangladesh, bringing his tally to 218 and briefly drawing level with Root to jointly hold the record. Root then reclaimed the outright lead in the second innings at Headingley.
Who are the top five non-wicketkeeper catchers in Test cricket?
The top five are Joe Root (219), Steve Smith (218), Rahul Dravid (210), Mahela Jayawardene (205), and Jacques Kallis (200).
How was the record-breaking catch taken?
Jofra Archer bowled a fuller delivery into the body of Pakistan opener Azan Awais, who flicked it to Root stationed at leg slip. Root completed the catch when Awais had scored just nine, in the fourth over of Pakistan's second innings.
How did England perform in the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley?
England bowled Pakistan out for 171 in the first innings, with Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson taking five wickets each. England replied with 409, built on contributions from Harry Brook (91), Jordan Cox (73), and Joe Root (66).
