Joe Root retains ODI Men's Player of the Summer award

Joe Root has retained the ODI Men's Player of the Summer award for 2026. The Professional Cricketers' Association confirmed the honour on September 27, the same day Root played his final ODI of the campaign against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

Root finished the summer with 326 ODI runs at an average of 54.33. The PCA cited three unbeaten half-centuries against India as central to England's successful white-ball campaign. England won four of their six ODI matches during the summer, defeating Sri Lanka and India in consecutive series while dropping only two games overall.

Root reflected on the collective effort after the award announcement. He said the group has lost only two white-ball games all summer and is moving in the right direction with the World Cup around the corner. The squad showed depth beyond Root's individual output despite injuries affecting selection at various points.