Joe Root surpasses Sachin Tendulkar for most Test fifties

England captain Joe Root went past Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most fifties in Test cricket during England’s eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday. Root remained unbeaten on 62 off 69 balls, hitting nine fours, as England chased down 130 to complete a 3-0 Test series whitewash. His unbeaten half-century took his tally of Test fifties to 69, moving him past Tendulkar’s 68. West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third on the list with 66 fifties, while Allan Border and Rahul Dravid have 63 each. Ricky Ponting has 62.

Most fifties in Test cricket

69* – Joe Root

68 – Sachin Tendulkar

66 – Shivnarine Chanderpaul

63 – Allan Border

63 – Rahul Dravid

62 – Ricky Ponting

Root joins elite 1,000-run club

Root also became the first batter to score more than 1,000 Test runs at Edgbaston. The England star has now crossed the 1,000-run mark at four different Test venues. He has scored 2,203 runs at Lord’s, 1,128 in Manchester and 1,050 at The Oval. Only two other players — South African great Jacques Kallis and Australian legend Ricky Ponting — had earlier scored more than 1,000 Test runs at four different venues.

England complete 3-0 whitewash

Root’s record came on a day when England completed a dominant 3-0 Test series win over Pakistan. England, chasing 130, finished on 130/2, with Root unbeaten on 62 and Jordan Cox not out on 59. England had already won the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord’s. The Edgbaston victory completed their 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan.