Joe Root breaks Alastair Cook's record for most 50+ scores for England in Test cricket history
Updated - 23 Feb 2024, 04:55 PM
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Former England captain Joe Root showcased a resurgence in his batting form during the fourth Test match against India in Ranchi. Joe Root notched his first fifty of the ongoing red ball series and surpassed a significant milestone previously held by Alastair Cook.
Root faced scrutiny for his struggles leading up to the fourth Test of the five-match series in England. However, the right-handed batter managed to silence his critics with a well-planned half-century in England’s first innings of the match on Friday, February 23.
The 33-year-old batsman entered the crease in the 10th over following the dismissals of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. Debutant Akash Deep claimed his third wicket of the day, removing Zak Crawley for 42 runs. The visiting team found themselves at 57/3 inside 12 overs.
Root and Jonny Bairstow quickly added a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket. However, Ravichandran Ashwin broke the partnership by dismissing Bairstow LBW. Bairstow played a quick-fire knock of 38 runs from 35 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a six.
Joe Root Breaks Alastair Cook’s All-Time Record
Ravindra Jadeja picked up the wicket of England skipper Ben Stokes, who scored just three runs, just before the lunch break. Joe Root steadied the innings by adding a crucial partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes. He reached his half-century off 108 balls.
With his half-century, Joe Root broke legendary Alastair Cook’s record of most 50-plus scores for England in red-ball cricket. The No. 4 batter completed his 91st 50-plus score in Test cricket. Alastair Cook stands in second place with 90 50-plus scores for England in Test cricket.
Joe Root Was One Of The Best Test Batters – AB de Villiers
Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers expressed concerns about Joe Root deviating from his traditional style due to the team’s “Bazball” tactics. De Villiers emphasized that Root should return to his natural approach to anchor the team’s innings effectively.
“When I played against him (Root), I felt he was one of the best Test batters I have ever played against. But that has changed and it’s because of Bazball. I know it’s a big statement but the ones that you find hardest to play against in Test match cricket are the ones who are hardest to get out. And now he is getting out on reverse sweeps and kind of blowing out of his norm. I don’t like that,” de Villiers said.
“Players like these (Root) should be told , ‘Listen, you just go out and play your natural game. You’re the glue of this batting line-up.’ Let Ben Duckett or Ben Stokes play aggressively. Let Root bat long,” he added.
Before the fourth Test, Joe Root had only managed to score 77 runs across six innings in the ongoing five-match Test series against India. His dismissals, especially the reverse sweep off Jasprit Bumrah in the previous match, faced criticism from former players.
