Joe Root overtakes Sachin Tendulkar to claim Test cricket’s fifties record

England batting stalwart Joe Root made Test cricket history on September 12, 2026, by becoming the player with the most half-centuries in the format. He reached the milestone during England’s eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston, finishing unbeaten on 62 from 69 balls, including nine fours, as England chased down a target of 130. Jordan Cox remained not out on 59 at the other end.

The innings took Root’s tally of Test fifties to 69, one more than Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of 68. Root had matched Tendulkar during the first Test at Headingley on August 20, 2026, before breaking the record in the series finale. England’s victory at Edgbaston completed a 3-0 series sweep after earlier wins at Headingley and Lord’s.

Root’s place among Test cricket’s leading half-century makers

Root now leads the all-time standings with 69 Test fifties, ahead of Tendulkar on 68. Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third with 66, while Allan Border and Rahul Dravid share fourth place on 63 each. Ricky Ponting follows in sixth with 62.

Spanning different eras and playing conditions, the list highlights the consistency Root has maintained throughout a long Test career. By moving ahead of several players regarded as among the finest batters in the sport’s history, he has further strengthened his claim as one of Test cricket’s greatest.

Another ground record for Root at Edgbaston

Root also became the first batter to score more than 1,000 Test runs at Edgbaston. The achievement made him only the third player to surpass 1,000 runs at four different Test venues, joining Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting. Root has scored 2,203 runs at Lord’s, 1,128 in Manchester and 1,050 at The Oval, with Edgbaston now added to that list.

The twin milestones at Edgbaston underscore the scale and longevity of Root’s achievements. His record number of Test fifties, combined with sustained success across multiple venues, reinforces his status as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the history of the format.

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