Joe Root etched his name in cricketing history on Saturday, becoming the first England player and the fourth overall to achieve 100 fifty-plus scores in Test cricket. The milestone came during the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, as Root remained unbeaten on 73* at the end of the second day.

Root’s 100 fifty-plus scores include 35 centuries and 65 half-centuries. His achievement places him alongside cricketing greats such as Sachin Tendulkar (119), Jacques Kallis (103), and Ricky Ponting (103). Root reached this milestone in style, bouncing back after a first-innings failure to score a composed 73 off 106 balls, including five boundaries.

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The match has been dominated by England so far. After being put to bat by New Zealand’s captain Tom Latham, England faced an early collapse, reduced to 43/4. However, a stunning counter-attacking century from Harry Brook (123 off 115 balls, with 11 fours and five sixes) and Ollie Pope’s half-century (66 off 78 balls) stabilized the innings. The duo added a 174-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping England post 280 in 54.4 overs.

New Zealand’s Nathan Smith (4/86) and Will O’Rourke (3/49) were the standout bowlers, while Matt Henry chipped in with two wickets.

In reply, New Zealand’s batting crumbled, managing just 125 runs in their first innings. Kane Williamson was the lone fighter, scoring 37 off 56 balls. England’s bowlers dominated, with Atkinson (4/31) and Brydon Carse (4/46) taking four wickets each, leaving the Kiwis trailing by 155 runs.

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England further tightened their grip on the match, ending Day 2 at 378/5 in their second innings. They now lead by a massive 533 runs. Contributions came from Ben Duckett (92 off 112 balls), Jacob Bethell (96 off 118 balls), and Harry Brook (55 off 61 balls). Joe Root anchored the innings with his unbeaten 73*, continuing to build on England’s commanding position.

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