Joe Root, the talented batsman from England, continues to make headlines and solidify his place among cricket’s elite. In the recently concluded first Test match against Sri Lanka, Root’s unbeaten 62 not out not only steered England to victory but also earned him the title of the English player with the most fifties in Test cricket.
With a total of 64 half-centuries under his belt, Root now stands third on the all-time list, trailing behind legends like Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Sachin Tendulkar.
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Root’s composed innings of 62 runs in the second innings against Sri Lanka played a crucial role in England’s successful chase of 205 runs. The city of Manchester holds a special place for Root, as his latest half-century marks his eighth fifty-plus score at this venue, the most by any player in Test cricket.
Closing in on Sachin Tendulkar’s Milestone
With 64 fifties to his name, Root is now just four behind Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 68 half-centuries in Test cricket. Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, played 200 Test matches for India.
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Root, who has played 144 matches, is quickly closing in on Tendulkar’s record, showcasing his longevity and consistency in the longest format of the game.
Top Players with Most Fifties in Test Cricket
Player | Matches | Fifties |
---|---|---|
Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 68 |
Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 164 | 66 |
Joe Root | 144 | 64 |
Allan Border | 156 | 63 |
Rahul Dravid | 164 | 63 |
Ricky Ponting | 168 | 62 |
Jacques Kallis | 166 | 58 |
Sir Alastair Cook | 161 | 57 |
VVS Laxman | 134 | 56 |
Kumar Sangakkara | 134 | 52 |
Root’s pursuit of more fifties is garnering attention from the cricketing world. Surpassing Tendulkar’s record would be a monumental achievement and further solidify Root’s legacy as one of the modern greats of the sport. Given his current form, it appears to be only a matter of time before Root surpasses this significant milestone.
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