Joe Root scripts history against Australia, achieves first-ever feat for England in ODIs
toi
newspoint|15-11-2026
Joe Root added another milestone to his remarkable ODI career on Sunday, becoming the first England batter to score 50 half-centuries in the format during the second match against Australia in Adelaide.
Batting at No. 3 after Australia captain Mitchell Marsh elected to field, Root scored 62 off 68 deliveries to help England post a formidable 355/6 at the Adelaide Oval. He brought up his half-century in 50 balls in the 22nd over, reaching a landmark that no other English batter has achieved in ODI cricket.
Root, England's leading run-scorer in ODIs, now has 50 fifties and 20 centuries in 201 appearances. His tally of 70 scores of 50 or more is also the highest by an English batter in the format.
The 35-year-old is comfortably ahead of former England captain Eoin Morgan, who finished his ODI career with 42 half-centuries from 225 matches. Ian Bell occupies third place with 35, while Jos Buttler has 30.
Most half-centuries for England in ODIs
Root's latest achievement also places him among an elite group in international one-day cricket. The overall record for the most ODI half-centuries remains with former India great Sachin Tendulkar , who accumulated 96 fifties in 463 matches between 1989 and 2012, alongside 49 hundreds.
Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara is second on the all-time list with 93 half-centuries, followed by South Africa's Jacques Kallis with 86. Former India captain Rahul Dravid and Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq have 83 each, while Australia's Ricky Ponting finished with 82.
Virat Kohli is next on the list among active-era greats, with 80 half-centuries and 55 centuries in 322 ODIs.
Most half-centuries in ODI cricket
Root's milestone came in a crucial contest for England, who bounced back emphatically after being bowled out for 132 in the series opener at Perth. His 62-run contribution was part of a strong batting display led by Tom Banton , who struck 121 off 99 balls for his second ODI century.
Root and Banton put together a 135-run partnership after England lost Ben Duckett early. Following Root's dismissal, Jordan Cox (67) and Will Jacks (54 not out) added further momentum with a 102-run stand, helping England finish on 355/6.
Australia's chase never really recovered from a disastrous start. Gus Atkinson ripped through the top order, taking three of the first four wickets before finishing with figures of 4/28. Matt Renshaw (63) and Cameron Green (64) attempted to revive the innings with a 98-run partnership, but Liam Dawson and Sam Curran struck at regular intervals to keep the hosts under pressure.
Australia were eventually bowled out for 220 in 44.3 overs, handing England a comprehensive 135-run victory and levelling the five-match ODI series 1-1 ahead of Wednesday's decider in Hobart.
Root acknowledged the importance of the series decider, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
“When you’ve got a World Cup around the corner, knockout games and big games where it really matters to win a series is what you want,” Root said in a post-match TV interview. “So I’m sure both teams will be really excited for the opportunity. We certainly will be.”
Sunday's result gave England an opportunity to test themselves in another high-pressure contest, something Root believes will be valuable going into the World Cup.
Batting at No. 3 after Australia captain Mitchell Marsh elected to field, Root scored 62 off 68 deliveries to help England post a formidable 355/6 at the Adelaide Oval. He brought up his half-century in 50 balls in the 22nd over, reaching a landmark that no other English batter has achieved in ODI cricket.
Root, England's leading run-scorer in ODIs, now has 50 fifties and 20 centuries in 201 appearances. His tally of 70 scores of 50 or more is also the highest by an English batter in the format.
The 35-year-old is comfortably ahead of former England captain Eoin Morgan, who finished his ODI career with 42 half-centuries from 225 matches. Ian Bell occupies third place with 35, while Jos Buttler has 30.
Most half-centuries for England in ODIs
Root's latest achievement also places him among an elite group in international one-day cricket. The overall record for the most ODI half-centuries remains with former India great Sachin Tendulkar , who accumulated 96 fifties in 463 matches between 1989 and 2012, alongside 49 hundreds.
Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara is second on the all-time list with 93 half-centuries, followed by South Africa's Jacques Kallis with 86. Former India captain Rahul Dravid and Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq have 83 each, while Australia's Ricky Ponting finished with 82.
Virat Kohli is next on the list among active-era greats, with 80 half-centuries and 55 centuries in 322 ODIs.
Most half-centuries in ODI cricket
Root's milestone came in a crucial contest for England, who bounced back emphatically after being bowled out for 132 in the series opener at Perth. His 62-run contribution was part of a strong batting display led by Tom Banton , who struck 121 off 99 balls for his second ODI century.
Root and Banton put together a 135-run partnership after England lost Ben Duckett early. Following Root's dismissal, Jordan Cox (67) and Will Jacks (54 not out) added further momentum with a 102-run stand, helping England finish on 355/6.
Australia's chase never really recovered from a disastrous start. Gus Atkinson ripped through the top order, taking three of the first four wickets before finishing with figures of 4/28. Matt Renshaw (63) and Cameron Green (64) attempted to revive the innings with a 98-run partnership, but Liam Dawson and Sam Curran struck at regular intervals to keep the hosts under pressure.
Australia were eventually bowled out for 220 in 44.3 overs, handing England a comprehensive 135-run victory and levelling the five-match ODI series 1-1 ahead of Wednesday's decider in Hobart.
Root acknowledged the importance of the series decider, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
“When you’ve got a World Cup around the corner, knockout games and big games where it really matters to win a series is what you want,” Root said in a post-match TV interview. “So I’m sure both teams will be really excited for the opportunity. We certainly will be.”
Sunday's result gave England an opportunity to test themselves in another high-pressure contest, something Root believes will be valuable going into the World Cup.
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