The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) on Sunday honoured Joe Root with the Metro Bank Men’s ODI Player of the Summer award. It is the second consecutive time that Root has won the award.
Joe Root had an exceptional summer for England in 2026 across formats, and his contributions with the bat in ODIs have earned him another accolade. The Three Lions concluded their 2026 summer with a convincing 223-run victory over Sri Lanka at The Oval on Sunday.
Joe Root Had an Exceptional Summer for England in 2026
England featured in six ODIs overall this summer, playing two bilateral series against Asian teams India and Sri Lanka. They won both series by a 2-1 margin.
Across the six matches, Joe Root scored 326 runs at an average of 54.33. This included three unbeaten half-centuries against India. He scored 76*, 99*, and 74*, finishing the series as the leading run-scorer with 249 runs and was subsequently named the Player of the Series.
Against Sri Lanka, Root did not have the best of series, managing 77 runs in three matches, with a best score of 44.
Will Jacks and Ben Duckett were the other contenders for the PCA’s Metro Bank Men’s ODI Player of the Summer award.
After receiving the award, Joe Root said:
“It’s been a good summer and we’re doing incredibly well with the World Cup round the corner.
“I went a long time without playing ODI cricket, so it has been really good to be back. I love where we’re heading as a team. We’re trending in a really good way and hopefully we can keep putting in match-winning performances.
“Guys have really stood up this series and it shows the depth in our squad.”
England’s white-ball skipper Harry Brook won the Vitality IT20 Men’s Player of the Summer award, while Ollie Robinson was named the Rothesay Men’s Test Player of the Summer.
For his commendable efforts, scoring 976 runs in 20 games for England across formats this summer, Harry Brook also won the overall Men’s International Player of the Summer award.
About the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA)
Founded in 1967, the Professional Cricketers’ Association represents every professional player in England and Wales. The PCA offers an excellent personal development and welfare programme to all its members, along with clear and comprehensive contractual advice.
Former Worcestershire batter Daryl Mitchell is the current CEO of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
