Joe Root joins elite club with 14,000 Test runs
England batter Joe Root on Saturday completed 14,000 runs in Test cricket, becoming the second player after Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the feat. Root reached the milestone during Day 4 of the second Test against New Zealand at Lord's in London.
Root, unbeaten on 75 off 137 balls with eight fours, helped England reach 182 for 5 in their chase of 463 runs. He now has 14,073 runs in 165 Tests (302 innings) at an average of 50.98, with 41 centuries and 67 fifties, and a highest score of 262. He is currently the second-highest Test run-getter among active players, behind only Tendulkar's 15,921 runs in 200 Tests with 49 centuries.
England's chase in the second Test
England ended Day 4 at 182 for 5, with Root unbeaten alongside Jordan Cox (0 not out). Harry Brook scored a brisk 58 off 54 balls, including 10 fours and a six, after England slipped to 40 for 3 in the run-chase. England lead the three-match series 1-0.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, posting 391 runs. Glenn Phillips scored a century (100 off 135 balls, 18 fours) and Tom Blundell added 51 off 84 balls (6 fours). Jacob Bethell took 3 for 26, while Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker and Matthew Fisher claimed two wickets each.
England responded with 381 in their first innings, falling 10 runs short. Emilio Gay made 53 off 114 balls (9 fours), Matthew Fisher remained unbeaten on 50 off 77 balls (6 fours), and Root contributed 46 off 57 balls (8 fours). Matt Henry was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 5 for 80.
New Zealand set England a massive target
In their second innings, New Zealand were bowled out for 362, setting England a target of 463. Henry Nicholls top-scored with 121 off 171 balls (16 fours), Rachin Ravindra made 76 off 99 balls (15 fours), and Daryl Mitchell added 68 off 108 balls (9 fours, 1 six). Archer and Fisher took three wickets each for England.
Root's achievement places him in an exclusive club, and he continues to chase Tendulkar's all-time record. The match remains poised with England requiring 281 more runs on the final day with five wickets in hand.
