Joe Root rescued England on the first day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane played with a pink ball under lights. He remained not out on 135 as England finished the day at 325 for 9 in 74 overs. This was Root’s 40th Test century bringing him closer to breaking some of Sachin Tendulkar’s world records. All eyes are on Joe Root as he chases Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in Test cricket. With his unbeaten 135 Root has scored 13686 runs in 291 innings averaging 51.45 including 40 centuries and 66 fifties. Sachin Tendulkar finished his Test career with 15921 runs in 200 matches averaging 53.78 with 51 centuries and 68 fifties. Root now needs 2235 more runs to surpass the Indian legend and become the highest run-scorer in Test history. Highest run-scorers in Test cricket (Stats up to the end of Day 1 2nd Ashes Test) Players Runs scored Sachin Tendulkar 15921 Joe Root 13686* Ricky Ponting 13378 Jacques Kallis 13289 Rahul Dravid 13288 Joe Root scored his 40th Test century on the first day of the second Ashes Test and is now 11 centuries behind Sachin Tendulkar who made 51 in his career. In the list of most Test centuries Root is fourth behind Jacques Kallis (45) and Ricky Ponting (41). Players Centuries Sachin Tendulkar 51 Jacques Kallis 45 Ricky Ponting 41 Joe Root 40* Kumar Sangakkara 38