Joe Root surpasses Sachin Tendulkar to set new fourth-innings record in Test Cricket

England’s star batter Joe Root has overtaken cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar to become the leading run-scorer in the fourth innings of Test cricket. Root achieved this milestone during England’s eight-wicket victory over New Zealand on Sunday in the Christchurch Test at Hagley Oval.

Root scored an unbeaten 23 off 15 balls in England’s successful chase of 104 runs, taking his fourth-innings tally to 1,630 runs. He surpassed Tendulkar’s previous record of 1,625 runs. Former England captain Alastair Cook (1,611 runs), South Africa’s Graeme Smith (1,611 runs), and West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1,580 runs) round out the top five in this category.

Also See: England vs New Zealand Series Schedule

Since making his Test debut in 2012, Root has played 150 matches, amassing 12,777 runs at an impressive average of 50.90 and a strike rate of 57.23, cementing his place as one of cricket’s modern greats.

England secured a commanding eight-wicket victory in the first Test against New Zealand, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The Kiwis began Day 4 at 155/6, with a slim four-run lead. Daryl Mitchell’s resilient 84, supported by Nathan Smith’s 21 and contributions from the lower order, helped New Zealand post 254 in their second innings.

Brydon Carse, the star of England’s bowling attack, delivered a career-best performance, claiming six wickets for 42 runs, including three of the four remaining wickets on the final day.

Chasing a modest target of 104, England’s batters faced little resistance. Debutant Jacob Bethell stole the spotlight, smashing an unbeaten 50 off just 37 balls to guide England to a comfortable win.