A new golden chapter has been added in the history of International Test cricket. Former England captain and legendary batsman Joe Root, who is included in the Fab-Four of modern cricket, has destroyed another huge record of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who is called the God of Cricket. Joe Root made the world record of scoring most fifties in Test cricket by playing a restrained inning of 62 runs unbeaten in the fourth innings of the third test match played against Pakistan at the historic Edgbaston ground in Birmingham. On the basis of this classic innings played in a pressure-filled chase, not only did England register a resounding victory in the match, but Root also left behind Tendulkar's world record of 68 half-centuries by scoring more than 50 for the 69th time.
The game on the fourth day of the third Test match played against Pakistan in Birmingham was at a very exciting turn. Chasing the challenging target to win, the English team was in dire need of a strong and durable innings. At such a critical juncture, Joe Root presented an unmatched example of his technique, patience and class. Facing the reverse swing and spin attack of Pakistani bowlers, he hit 9 beautiful fours all around the field. Playing an unbeaten inning of 62 runs, he took his team across the threshold of victory. With this match-winning half-century, he added to his account the historic achievement of scoring the most number of fifties in Test cricket.
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar ended his 24-year-long international Test career with 68 half-centuries. Batsmen around the world were struggling to reach this figure for more than a decade, but Joe Root's consistency made this seemingly impossible record possible. With his 69th Test half-century, Root has now topped this exclusive list. After this historic reshuffle, great West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has slipped to third place with 66 half-centuries. Former Australia captain Allan Border and Rahul Dravid, who is called the Wall of India, remain joint fourth with 63-63 half-centuries.
-
Joe Root (England): 69 half centuries
-
Sachin Tendulkar (India): 68 half centuries
-
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies): 66 half centuries
-
Allan Border (Australia): 63 half centuries
-
Rahul Dravid (India): 63 half centuries
After winning the crown for scoring most half-centuries, Joe Root has now set his sights on the biggest Everest of Test cricket i.e. the record of most runs. The all-time world record for scoring the most runs in Test cricket is currently held in the name of Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 15,921 runs in 329 innings of 200 Test matches at an average of 53.78. Joe Root is firmly at the second position in this list. In 309 innings of 169 Test matches played so far, English batsmen have scored 14,278 runs at an average of 50.45. As per the current situation, Root is now only 1,643 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar's mega-record. Cricket pundits and analysts believe that considering Joe Root's current form and fitness, this gap can close within the next one and a half to two years.
-
Sachin Tendulkar (India): 15,921 runs
-
Joe Root (England – Active player): 14,278 runs
-
Ricky Ponting (Australia): 13,378 runs
-
Jacques Kallis (South Africa): 13,289 runs
-
Rahul Dravid (India): 13,288 runs
The journey of Joe Root's Test career has been very inspiring. Interestingly, Joe Root made his Test debut against India at Nagpur ground in December 2012. Exactly a year later, in November 2013, Sachin Tendulkar played the 200th and final Test match of his historic career at the Wankhede Stadium. In this journey that started in 2012, Joe Root has proved himself to be the most reliable batsman in the world in the most challenging format of Test cricket in the last 14 years. While scoring 14,278 runs in 309 innings of 169 Test matches, Root has also scored 41 brilliant centuries along with 69 half-centuries. In terms of Test centuries, Sachin Tendulkar is at the top with 51 centuries, while Root is leading among active batsmen with 41 centuries.
The biggest secret of Joe Root's unprecedented success is his fitness and excellent footwork against both spin and fast bowling. From the turning pitches of the subcontinent to the bouncy pitches of England, Australia and South Africa, Root's bat has been scoring runs in every situation. The way Root has been consistently playing long innings in red ball cricket has made him the most successful Test player of the current era. This recent win and historical record against Pakistan has also given England a strong position in the equations of the World Test Championship (WTC). The eyes of cricket fans around the world are now fixed on whether Root will be able to reach the biggest peak in the history of Test cricket by surpassing Sachin's historical figure of 15,921 runs.