IND vs ENG: Joe Root breaks Alastair Cook's England record in test cricket

Joe Root etched his name in record books after smashing crucial half-century in fourth test against India.

England’s right-handed batter Joe Root continued his prolific run in test cricket for his national side, notching another crucial fifty against India and etching his name in the record books once again. During the ongoing fourth test against India at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, Root surpassed legendary batter Alastair Cook‘s record for most fifty-plus scores by an Englishman in the longest format of the game on February 23rd, Friday.

After going through a terrible patch of form in the first three test games against India, Root came back in style and notched up a crucial half-century in the first innings at Ranchi, helping the visitors reach 198-5 in 61 overs at tea break on day 1 of the fourth test match.

The veteran England batter Joe Root hammered his half-century in 108 balls as he anchored his innings well. Root partnered with wicket-keeper batter Ben Foakes in the second session of day 1 and didn’t give any wickets to the Indian side between lunch and tea.

Batting on a different surface. Well played, @Root66 💪 Match Centre: https://t.co/B58xShTQq5🇮🇳 #INDvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/hirBO4Yb9a

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 23, 2024

Earlier, the right-handed batter Joe Root was heavily criticized by the English media after his flop show in the first three test matches of the ongoing five-match series against Rohit Sharma-led India.

Joe Root failed to register a fifty in his first three games against India and was seen getting troubled by India’s spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. Root was also criticized by former England skipper Michael Vaughan for getting out while playing reverse-scoop of Bumrah’s delivery during the Rajkot test.

Joe Root breaks Alastair Cook’s record for most fifty-plus scores for England in tests

England batter Joe Root shattered legendary cricketer Alastair Cook’s record of most fifty-plus scores by an English batter in test cricket. Root also has most runs in test cricket amongst the active cricketers. 

Joe Root has now smashed 91 fifty-plus scores in 139 matches in test cricket. Legendary cricketer Alastair Cook earlier held the record. Cook hammered 90 fifty-plus scores in 161 matches. 

Most test fifties for England

1. Joe Root – 91* in 139 matches

2. Alastair Cook – 90 in 161 matches

3. Ian Bell – 68 in 118 matches

4. Graham Gooch – 66 in 118 matches

5. Sir Geoffrey Boycott – 64 in 108 matches

At end of day 1’s play, Joe Root completed his 31st test hundred as England ended the day at 302/7.

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