One behind Don Bradman, chasing Sachin Tendulkar: Joe Root's Sydney epic pushes him into cricket's elite

Joe Root's love affair with Test cricket scaled yet another peak on Monday as England's master batter produced a monumental century in the fifth Ashes Test at Sydney, nudging himself to the very doorstep of two of the game's most sacred milestones — Don Bradman's tally of 150-plus scores and Sachin Tendulkar's towering records.

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Root's second century of the series, and 41st overall in Tests, drew him level with Australian great Ricky Ponting for third on the all-time list of hundreds, behind only Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45). The landmark knock came in his 163rd Test, underlining his extraordinary longevity and consistency in the longest format.




The 35-year-old brought up his hundred in assured fashion, clipping Michael Neser for two to reach three figures before going on to craft a majestic 160 off 242 balls. His innings, studded with 15 fours, was the backbone of England's 384.

It was Root's second hundred of the ongoing Ashes series in Australia, following his unbeaten 138 in the Brisbane day-night Test — an innings that snapped a long-standing three-figure drought Down Under after three previous tours.

Most 150-plus scores in Tests

• 20 - Sachin Tendulkar
• 19 - Brian Lara
• 19 - Kumar Sangakkara
• 18 - Don Bradman
• 17 - Joe Root
• 16 - Mahela Jayawardene
• 15 - Ricky Ponting

Beyond the century count, the innings carried even deeper historical significance. It was Root's 17th score of 150 or more in Tests, moving him to fifth on the all-time list. That leaves him just one such innings shy of Don Bradman (18) and within touching distance of Brian Lara and Kumar Sangakkara, who share second place with 19 apiece. Only Tendulkar, with 20, stands clearly ahead.

Root's modern-era dominance is equally stark. Since 2021, he has amassed 24 Test centuries — more than double any of his contemporaries. Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Harry Brook and Shubman Gill are next best, each with 10 over the same period.

Most Test hundreds since 2021

• 24 - Joe Root
• 10 - Steven Smith
• 10 - Kane Williamson
• 10 - Harry Brook
• 10 - Shubman Gill

Among England batters, Root has now joined Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook as one of only three to score multiple hundreds in an away Ashes series since 1994/95.


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