Joe Root added one other landmark to his extraordinary Take a look at profession on Thursday, equalling Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s report for essentially the most half-centuries in Take a look at cricket throughout England’s first Take a look at in opposition to Pakistan at Headingley.Root introduced up his 68th Take a look at fifty on the second day earlier than being dismissed for 66 off 112 balls, together with 10 boundaries. The milestone put the England captain degree with Tendulkar on the high of the all-time record for many fifties within the longest format.West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third on the record with 66, whereas former Australia captain Allan Border and India nice Rahul Dravid have 63 every. Ricky Ponting is subsequent with 62.For Root, the achievement got here on a major day in his worldwide profession as he returned to the England Take a look at captaincy following Ben Stokes’ retirement.
Most fifties in Exams
- 68* – Joe Root
- 68 – Sachin Tendulkar
- 66 – S Chanderpaul
- 63 – Allan Border
- 63 – Rahul Dravid
- 62 – Ricky Ponting
Root, Cox put England in command
Root resumed the day alongside Jordan Cox with England on 112/2, nonetheless 59 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings complete of 171. The pair proceeded to take management of the competition, placing collectively a century partnership that carried England past Pakistan’s modest complete.Cox was the extra aggressive of the 2 initially and went on to attain 73 earlier than being dismissed by Ali Usman. Root adopted quickly afterwards, falling for 66 as Pakistan lastly broke via after the drinks interval.Khurram Shahzad trapped Root lbw with an inswinger that moved again sharply. Root shuffled down the pitch seeking to work the ball away however didn’t make contact, with the supply placing him in entrance of center stump.The dismissal additionally left England with none critiques.Root’s 66 ensured that his 68th fifty got here and not using a century, however the milestone additional underlined his outstanding consistency in Take a look at cricket. His tally of 68 fifties now matches Tendulkar’s report, with Root having the chance to maneuver outright clear on the high in his subsequent innings.Root has additionally climbed into the highest 5 for many 50-plus scores as a Take a look at captain, together with his newest half-century taking his tally to 42 in that class. South Africa’s Graeme Smith leads the record with 61, adopted by Ponting (54), Border (51) and Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq (43).
England take first-innings lead after tempo assault dominates
England had earlier put themselves in a powerful place by bowling Pakistan out for simply 171 after Root gained the toss and opted to area in beneficial circumstances.Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue shared the wickets, taking 5 apiece. Robinson completed with figures of 5/51, whereas Tongue returned 5/46 as Pakistan’s batting line-up struggled in opposition to England’s tempo assault.Abdullah Shafique supplied the primary resistance for Pakistan, scoring 61, however England saved the strain on and ultimately dismissed the guests inside 49 overs.
