Joe Root achieves what no batsman has done in 147 years of Test cricket, becoming the first batsman to reach 2,000 runs in the fourth innings
England’s Joe Root. (AP photo) Adding another extraordinary record to his already remarkable Test career, Joe Root became the first player in the 147-year history of Test cricket to cross the 2,000-run mark specifically in the fourth innings. The England star reached the milestone during his unbeaten run of 62 against Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston, making another defining contribution when his team needed him most.Batting in the fourth inning is probably the ultimate examination of the Test batter. The pitch is often the most challenging, the goal is on the scoreboard and every goal brings the chasing team closer to defeat.Root made the pressure situation his own.DoughTest runs of the 4th inningsJoe Root2,059Sachin Tendulkar (IND)1.625Alastair Cook1,611Graeme Smith (RSA)1,611Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)1,580
Root’s dominance reaches another level in the fourth innings
Root’s historic achievement came during England’s chase of 130 in the third and final Test against Pakistan. The home side had a nightmare, losing Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay in the opener to slip to 2/2.With Pakistan suddenly sensing an opportunity to defend a modest target, Root stepped into the middle with England under pressure. As was so often the case in his career, the situation seemed to bring out the best in him.Root withstood the chase alongside Jordan Cox, eventually remaining unbeaten on 62 as England reached 130/2 to complete an eight-wicket victory. Cox also remained unbeaten on 59, with the pair putting together a match-winning partnership after England’s early collapse.The win completed the Test series 3–0 for England and provided Root with the perfect finish to his return as Test captain.
Root also becomes the first batsman to score 1,000 runs at Edgbaston
The fourth innings record was not the only piece of history Root created at Edgbaston. He became the first batsman to score more than 1,000 Test runs in Birmingham during the same innings. Root entered the match needing 52 runs to reach the milestone, having already amassed 948 runs at Edgbaston.Edgbaston is now the fourth Test venue where Root has scored at least 1,000 runs.Its other main attractions are:
- Lord’s – 2,203 runs
- Manchester – 1,128 runs
- Oval – 1,050 runs
- Edgbaston – 1,018 runs
The feat puts Root alongside Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting as only the third batsman to reach 1,000 or more Test runs at four different venues.
And then came another entry involving Sachin Tendulkar
Root’s 62 not out also brought another major milestone. The innings was his 69th Test fifty and moved him to the top of the all-time list for a maiden half-century. This took him past Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who ended his Test career with 68 fifties.Root now leads the list with 69, followed by Tendulkar on 68 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul on 66. Allan Border and Rahul Dravid each have 63, while Ricky Ponting has 62. There is another remarkable aspect to this record: Root reached his 69 fifties in fewer Test innings than Tendulkar needed to reach 68.
Root’s 110th fifty-over score
The 62 not out was also Root’s 110th Test innings in which he scored at least 50 runs. This record includes 41 centuries and 69 fifties, underlining how consistently he converted opportunities into substantial scores throughout his career. Reuters confirmed Edgbaston’s innings as his 110th Test score of 50 or more.