Billy Root Retires: Glamorgan Batter Steps Down from Professional Cricket at 34

Billy Root has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 34.

The Glamorgan batter will bring his career to an end after the 2026 season, closing a 14-year journey in the county game. Root, the younger brother of England Test captain Joe Root, joined Glamorgan in 2019 after leaving Nottinghamshire.

Root confirms retirement

Root shared the news on social media, saying it was “time for the next chapter” in his life.

He also reflected on a career that included four trophy wins and spells with two clubs. Root said it had been a privilege to represent Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan.

“There have been plenty of ups and downs over the last 14 years, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” Root said.

His retirement will come alongside that of fellow Glamorgan batters Chris Cooke and Colin Ingram, whose playing careers will also finish this week.

Glamorgan career

Root joined the Welsh county in 2019 and quickly became an important part of the side.

He made 67 appearances for Glamorgan and scored almost 5,000 runs. His record included seven hundreds, with a memorable double century at Northampton standing out as one of his biggest innings for the county.

Root’s time with Glamorgan also included strong contributions across formats. He played first-class, List A and T20 cricket for the club during his seven-year spell.

A quieter final season

The 2026 season has been a quieter one for Root.

He played only two County Championship matches and took charge of Glamorgan’s second XI. His decision to retire comes at the end of a campaign in which his role moved away from regular first-team cricket.

Root had signed a one-year contract extension in January, keeping him at Glamorgan until the conclusion of the 2026 season.

A career across two counties

Root began his professional career with Nottinghamshire before moving to Glamorgan.

He made his name as a left-handed batter and became a dependable county player over more than a decade. While his career was often played away from the biggest international spotlight, he built a strong record in domestic cricket.

His Glamorgan years produced seven centuries and almost 5,000 runs, while his career also included four trophy wins.

What Billy Root said

Root said he felt lucky to have made a career from a sport he had loved since childhood.

The batter also thanked the two clubs he represented and looked back positively on his time in professional cricket.

His final season will now serve as a farewell to Glamorgan before he begins the next stage of his life.

FAQs

How old is Billy Root?

Billy Root is 34 years old.

When will Billy Root retire?

He will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2026 season.

Which counties did Billy Root play for?

Root played for Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan.

How many runs did Billy Root score for Glamorgan?

He scored almost 5,000 runs for Glamorgan and made seven hundreds.