Presenting batters with most half-centuries in Test cricket
England's batting stalwart Joe Root scored a match-winning 62* in the fourth innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, Manchester. The Brits (205/5), hence, chased down the target on Day 4. Root, who scored 42 runs in the first innings, crossed the 50-run mark to power the home team. Here we look at the batters with the most Test fifties.
Sachin Tendulkar- 68 fifties
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar made and shattered a plethora of records in Test cricket. He is the leading run-scorer in the format, having racked up 15,921 runs from 200 Test matches at an incredible average of 53.78. The 51-year-old also holds the record of scoring the most number of Test fifties (68). His tally also includes 51 tons and six double-hundreds.
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.
Joe Root - 64 fifties
With scores worth 42 and 62*, Root has raced to 12,131 runs from 144 Tests. He averages 50.33. Root owns 64 half-centuries and 32 tons. Meanwhile, Alastair Cook (12,472) is the only England batter with more Test runs than Root. Notably, Root is the only active player with 10,000-plus Test runs. He also owns the joint-most tons among active players.
Allan Border - 63 fifties
Allan Border represented Australia between 1979 and 994, playing 156 Tests - 93 as captain. He finished his Test career with 11,174 runs at 50.56 with the help of 27 tons and 63 fifties. It must be noted that the veteran was the first player in history to complete 11,000 runs in Test cricket.
