Billy Root announces retirement from professional cricket; reports confusing him with brother Joe Root

Billy Root, the younger brother of England Test captain Joe Root, announced his retirement from professional cricket on social media on September 23, 2026. Initial reports mixed up the two siblings, but Joe Root has not retired.

Billy made his first-class debut in 2015 and within two years had also played List A and T20 cricket; he represented Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan in county cricket and has ended a 14-year professional career. Announcing his decision on social media, Billy wrote: “It has been an absolute privilege to represent two great clubs and to share in the success of four trophy wins. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to make a career out of something I have loved since I was a kid. “There have been plenty of ups and downs over the last 14 years, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ll always be incredibly grateful for the journey, the people I’ve shared it with, and the opportunity to live out a childhood dream. Thank you to everyone who has played a part.”

In red-ball cricket Billy featured in 83 first-class matches, compiling 4,107 runs at an average of 32.08, including seven centuries and 17 fifties, with a highest score of 229.

Across 60 List A appearances he scored 1,665 runs at an average of 40.60. In the shorter format he struggled for consistency, playing seven T20 Blast seasons and averaging 21.13 with a strike rate of 111.

The announcement prompted confusion in some reports that it was Joe Root who had retired; Joe Root was described in coverage as the current reinstated captain of the England men’s Test team and as "one of the best English batters ever, and he has proved his credentials with the bat time and time again."

No. Joe Root has not retired from professional cricket. For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.