Joe Root achieved significant milestones on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India, surpassing Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to become the player with the second-most fifties in Test cricket, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar. Earlier in the same match at Old Trafford, Root also overtook Kallis and Rahul Dravid to become the third-highest run-scorer in Test history.
England’s batting maestro remained unbeaten on 63 as the hosts headed into the lunch break on Day 3 of the fourth Test in Manchester. In the process, Root:
- Moved to second place on the all-time list of 50-plus scores in Test cricket
- Overtook legends like Ricky Ponting (103), Jacques Kallis (103), and Rahul Dravid (99)
Most 50-Plus Scores in Test Cricket:
- 119 – Sachin Tendulkar
- 104 – Joe Root
- 103 – Ricky Ponting
- 103 – Jacques Kallis
- 99 – Rahul Dravid
Earlier in the day, Root also became the third-highest run-scorer in Test history. Entering the match, he needed just:
- 30 runs to pass Rahul Dravid (13,288 runs in 164 Tests)
- 31 runs to pass Jacques Kallis (13,289 runs in 166 Tests)
Root, aged 34 and playing his 157th Test, crossed Kallis with a calm offside single off Mohammed Siraj. The crowd at Old Trafford erupted in applause, chanting “Roooot” in celebration.
At that stage, England were 261/2, replying to India’s first-innings total of 358 — a deficit of 97 runs.
Next up in Root’s path is Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs in 168 matches). While Sachin Tendulkar remains comfortably ahead with a colossal 15,921 runs in 200 Tests, Root still has time on his side.
England currently lead the five-match series 2-1, with the final Test set to begin next week at The Oval.
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