Joe Root's imperious red-ball form has helped him shatter yet another record in Test cricket which previously belonged to India's Sachin Tendulkar. Root played an unbeaten 23-run knock on day four of the first Test between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval in Christchurch to become the batter with the most runs in the fourth innings of Test cricket history.
Root has now scored 1630 runs in the fourth innings in the red-ball format. On the other hand, the "Master Blaster" had aggregated 1625 runs in the fourth innings of his Test career. England's former Test captain Alastair Cook is third on the all-time list. Cook accumulated 1611 runs in the fourth innings and he is joint-third with South Africa's former captain Graeme Smith.
Most runs in fourth innings in Test cricket history
| Player | Country | Runs |
| Joe Root | England | 1630 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 1625 |
| Alastair Cook | England | 1611 |
| Graeme Smith | South Africa | 1611 |
| Shivnarine Chanderpaul | West Indies | 1580 |
Root is enjoying a blazing run in red-ball cricket at the moment. The former England Test captain has racked up 1777 runs in 20 Test matches in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. He averages 55.40 with the willow in hand and has already struck six centuries and as many half-centuries in the cycle.
Root has scored the most runs among active cricketers in Tests. The 34-year-old has amassed 12777 runs at an average of 50.90, including 35 centuries and 64 fifties. He is miles ahead of the second-placed Steven Smith, who has 9702 runs in 110 Test matches at an average of 56.40.
Root's tour of New Zealand didn't get off to a bright start after he was dismissed for a duck by debutant Nathan Smith. However, his cameo in the second innings is likely to hold him in good stead for the rest of the series.
