NEW DELHI: Joe Root, one of England’s greatest-ever cricketers, marked a significant milestone by becoming the fourth English player and the 11th in the world to play 150 Test matches. The first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch was expected to be a celebration of Root’s illustrious career, but it turned into an anticlimactic occasion as the premier batter was dismissed for a duck in the first innings.
The 33-year-old Root, who had entered the match with a staggering 12,754 Test runs at an average of 51.01, was bowled by New Zealand medium-pacer Nathan Smith. Attempting to punch the ball through the covers, Root got an inside edge that brushed his back thigh before deflecting onto the stumps.
Scorecard: New Zealand vs England, 1st Test
The dismissal placed Root in an unfortunate club, as he became only the third batter to be out for a duck in their 150th Test. He joined Australian legends Steve Waugh, who suffered the fate against Pakistan in Sharjah in 2002, and Ricky Ponting, who was dismissed for zero against England in Adelaide in 2010.
Despite the disappointment in Christchurch, Root’s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular. He has amassed 1,338 runs this year alone at an average of 55.75, including five centuries and four fifties. With 35 Test centuries in his career, Root continues to be a pivotal figure for England, although Friday’s duck was the 13th in his 12-year Test career.
Root’s achievement of reaching 150 Tests underscores his longevity and consistency at the highest level of the game. While the milestone innings may not have gone as planned, it serves as a testament to a career filled with remarkable contributions to England’s Test cricket legacy.
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