England's stalwart Joe Root scripted history by becoming the country's leading scorer in the longest format of the game. He achieved the milestone in the Test match against Pakistan. Currently, the right-hander has featured in 147 Test matches and has accumulated 12,534 runs with 35 centuries and 64 half-centuries

Alastair Cook comes second on the list with 12,472 runs. The veteran represented England in 161 matches in which he smashed 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries. His highest score in the format was 294 runs

The third place is in the name of former England captain Graham Gooch. Representing the side in 118 Test matches, he smashed 8,900 runs. His Test career saw him register 20 centuries and 46 half-centuries with the best score of 333 runs

Alec Stewart has his name in the fourth position. He played 133 matches for the "Three Lions". Scoring 8,463 runs, Stewart's Test career ended with 15 centuries and 45 fifties. His best score in the format was 190 runs

Playing 117 Tests for England, David Gower has his name scripted in the fifth position for the highest run scorer for the side. His Test career ended with 8,231 runs which included 18 tons and 39 half-centuries. 215 is Gower's highest score in the Test format