Joe Root is showing no signs of stopping in Test cricket, with another brilliant knock during Day 4 of the third Test between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston. Root scored a valuable half-century to help his side secure victory.
With this innings, Root has also surpassed the great Sachin Tendulkar in another major Test cricket feat. The England batter continues to add to his remarkable numbers in the longest format. In this article, we will take a closer look at the latest milestone achieved by Root.
Joe Root Overtakes Sachin Tendulkar for Most Half-Centuries in Test Cricket
Root brought up his 69th half-century in Test cricket against Pakistan going past Sachin Tendulkar's previous record of 68. He now holds the record for the most half-centuries in Test cricket. Below is the list of players with most half centuries in Test cricket.
Most Fifties in Test Cricket History
|
Batter
|
Matches
|
Innings
|
Most Fifties
|
|
Joe Root (ENG)
|
169
|
307
|
69
|
|
Sachin Tendulkar (IND)
|
200
|
329
|
68
|
|
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)
|
164
|
280
|
66
|
|
Allan Border (AUS)
|
156
|
265
|
63
|
|
Rahul Dravid (IND)
|
164
|
286
|
63
|
|
Ricky Ponting (AUS)
|
168
|
287
|
62
|
The list also features some of legendary names of the games.
How Joe Root Gets His 69th Test Fifty
In the fourth innings, England needed 130 runs to win against Pakistan. England's innings started horribly when both of their openers departed for ducks, giving Pakistan some relief that they could pull off a victory.
But Joe Root alongside Jordan Cox, stitched up a brilliant 128 run partnership in quick time to ensure England not only won the match but also whitewashed Pakistan 3-0 in the series.
Root looked in sensational touch right from the start, finding boundaries with ease as he remained unbeaten on 62 runs off 69 deliveries, including 9 fours, with a strike rate close to 90.
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Detail Category
|
Information
|
|
Match
|
England vs. Pakistan, 3rd Test
|
|
Venue
|
Edgbaston, Birmingham
|
|
Date
|
September 12, 2026 (Day 4)
|
|
Innings
|
62* runs off 69 balls
|
|
Boundaries
|
9 fours
|
|
Day of Match
|
Day 4
|
Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar: Test Stats Comparison
|
Statistic
|
Joe Root
|
Sachin Tendulkar
|
|
Total Test Fifties
|
69
|
68
|
|
Tests Played
|
169
|
200
|
|
Innings Taken
|
309
|
329
|
|
Test Runs
|
14,278
|
15,921
|
|
Batting Average
|
50.45
|
53.78
|
|
Total Centuries
|
41
|
51
|
|
Current Status
|
Active
|
Retired
|
Can Joe Root surpass Sachin Tendulkar in Most Runs?
Joe Root clearly has staggering numbers in the Test format, especially considering that he has played fewer matches than Sachin Tendulkar. It has been a widely discussed topic among the cricketing fraternity whether Root will eventually go past Tendulkar's remarkable records.
Root is 35 years old and is still performing at his peak, with no signs of retiring anytime soon. When it comes to surpassing Tendulkar's overall Test runs, Root certainly has a fair chance, given the number of Test matches England plays.
If he keeps performing at this level, he could potentially go past Sachin Tendulkar in terms of Test runs within the next two years and even challenge his record for Test centuries.