Joe Root made history on Sunday by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar to become the leading run-scorer in the fourth innings of Test cricket. Root’s unbeaten 23 runs from 15 balls helped England secure an eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the Christchurch Test. With 1,630 runs, Root now holds the record, breaking Tendulkar’s previous record of 1,625 runs.
Root’s achievement places him at the top of the list, with Tendulkar in second place. Former England batsman Alastair Cook follows with 1,611 runs. South Africa’s Graeme Smith shares third place with Cook, while Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies sits fifth with 1,580 runs.
Root made his Test debut in 2012 and has since played 150 matches. Over his career, he has scored 12,777 runs, maintaining an average of 50.90 and a strike rate of 57.23.
England’s victory in Christchurch was built on Jacob Bethell’s debut fifty and Brydon Carse’s brilliant bowling. New Zealand began Day 4 at 155/6, leading by just four runs. They added 99 more runs, with Daryl Mitchell scoring 84. However, Carse’s career-best 6/42 helped England restrict New Zealand to a manageable target of 104 runs.
England chased down the target with ease as New Zealand’s bowlers failed to pose a threat. Bethell led the chase with an explosive, unbeaten 50 off just 37 balls on his debut.
England’s eight-wicket win gave them a 1-0 lead in the Test series. The team’s all-around performance on Day 4 ensured their dominant position at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
