Which batter owns the most half-centuries in Test cricket?
What's the story
England captain Joe Root has created history by surpassing Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most fifties in Test matches. Root achieved this feat during England's eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday. He remained unbeaten on 62 off 69 balls as England chased down a target of 130 runs to complete a clean sweep of the three-match series. On this note, we look at the batters with the most half-centuries in the Test format.
#1
Joe Root - 69 fifties
Root's unbeaten 62 in the aforementioned game took his tally of Test fifties to 69.
The talismanic batter also has 41 tons in the format.
With his latest efforts, Root has raced to a tally of 14,278 runs from 169 matches (309 innings) at an average of 50.45.
He is currently the second-highest run-getter in the format's history.
#2
Sachin Tendulkar- 68 fifties
Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, now holds the second spot with 68 fifties in his decorated career.
He is also the highest run-scorer in the format, having amassed 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78 over his career spanning 200 Tests.
Tendulkar's tally includes not just fifties but also an impressive 51 centuries - the most for any batter.
#3
Shivnarine Chanderpaul - 66 fifties
Former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who had a quirky stance, is among the greats of the game.
In a career that spanned over two decades, the former smashed 11,867 runs from 164 Tests at 51.37 (30 tons).
The left-handed batter also tallied 66 fifties.
Notably, Chanderpaul is one of the two Caribbean players with 10,000-plus Test runs, the other being Brian Lara.