Former England skipper Joe Root entered his name into record books again yesterday, during the ongoing 1st Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The 33-year-old became the 11th cricketer to complete 150 appearances in the longest format of the game.
After adding another feather to his illustrious crown, Root capped off a forgetful outing on Day 2 as the milestone man from Yorkshire was dismissed for a duck in the 1st innings.
Facing Kiwi debutant Nathan Smith before Lunch, Root was cramped for room and his inside edge skewed off into the stumps on the third ball of the 14th over.
Before handing Root a four-ball duck, Smith outsmarted Jacob Bethell for 10 off 34 balls on the first ball of the same over.
Creating a dubious record in his 150th Test, Root joined Australia’s Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting on an unwanted list. The Australia legends also failed to open their respective accounts in their 150th Test outing.
Becoming the third player to perish for naught in his 150th Test, Root has also overtaken the likes of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith with his 13th duck in red-ball cricket. No player has recorded more ducks than Root (8) in the World Test Championship (WTC).
Regarded as one of England’s greatest ever cricketers, the Yorkshire batter eclipsed Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene on the elite list of players with Test appearances. Root is behind Australia great Allan Border, who played 156 times for the Baggy Greens.
With fast-bowling icon James Anderson recently calling time on his legendary career, Root is the most-capped Test player for England among the active players. The talismanic batter of the Three Lions is ahead of Australia’s Nathan Lyon, who has played 130 Tests.
Root became only the fourth Englishman to reach 150 Test caps in Christchurch. Born in Sheffield, Root has amassed 12,754 runs at an average of 50.81. With a highest score of 262, the Yorkshire stalwart has smashed 64 half-centuries and 35 centuries for England.
The right-handed batter made his Test debut against India in 2012.
New Zealand have posted 319-5 in 74 overs after winning the toss at Hagley Oval. England trail them (348) by 29 runs at Stumps on the second day.
Leading England’s charge in Christchurch, Harry Brook played an unbeaten knock of 132 off 163 balls. Brook and skipper Ben Stokes will resume the England innings on Saturday.
