Joe Root Equaled Rahul Dravid’s Test Feat

English top-order batsman Joe Root equaled Indian ace Rahul Dravid’s test feat of 36 centuries on the third day of the second test of England’s tour of New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday. The 33-year-old batter scored 106 off only 130 balls in England’s new fashion, “Bazball.” His ton no 36 in the tests is the joint fifth most by any batsman in the format’s history.

Root started day 3 with his overnight score of 73 runs, and within the next 6.3 overs, he added 33 runs in just 22 balls with his exquisite batting while bringing up his hundred in 127 balls. The veteran played a daring reverse scoop shot on 98 runs off William ORourke, which went for four runs over the keeper’s head. England declared at 427/6 after Root’s dismissal and his stunning innings laced with 11 boundaries helped the visitors set a massive target of 583 runs.

His three-figure knock also made him the first-ever English batsman to score 100 fifty-plus scores in tests, and overall he is fourth to join the elite list consisting of Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting. Sachin has 119 fifty-plus scores, followed by Ponting and Kallis who have 103 each.