Joe Root Makes History as First England Batter to Achieve Century of 50+ Scores in Test Cricket

England batter Joe Root became the first English batter and only the fourth in the world to record 100 scores of fifty or more in Test cricket. Root achieved this remarkable feat during the second Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve.

Playing in his 151st Test match, Root reached the milestone with his 65th half-century in 76 deliveries during the third session of the second day's play. The 33-year-old now is ranked as World No. 1 Test batter and has a record of 35 centuries and 65 fifties in 276 innings, while having amassed a staggering total of over 13,000 Test runs.

Root’s achievement places him alongside cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting in the elusive list of batters who have crossed the 100 50+ scores in Test cricket.

Tendulkar holds the record for the most 50+ scores in Test cricket with 119, including 51 centuries and 68 fifties. Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting are tied at 103 each.

Root's historic knock came after a lean patch in recent months. After a brilliant knock against Pakistan in Multan early this year, where he scored 262 runs, Root suffered a seven-innings streak without crossing the 50-run mark.

In the first innings of the second Test, Root played a crucial role with a composed century, helping England to a commanding position. And in the second innings, he further showed his resilience in reaching his half-century and forging a crucial 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket with the in-form Harry Brook. Root's knock steadied the English innings as they looked to set a daunting target for the hosts.

Root's match-winning performances in Wellington also made him closer to yet another important milestone. With 1,417 Test runs in 2024, he needs just 83 more to become the second player in cricket history to score 1,500 Test runs in a calendar year on multiple occasions.

Ricky Ponting has been the only one so far to have achieved this feat, in both 2003 and 2005. Before this, Root crossed the 1,500-run mark too in 2021.