After scoring a stunning 38th century as England fought off India to claim the series-clinching victory, Joe Root moved up to second place on the all-time list of Test run-scorers.
On Friday, the third day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Ben Stokes’ team, who were 2-1 up in the five-game series, were 544-7 at stumps, 186 runs ahead of the toiling visitors in the first innings.
Root scored an incredible 150, with only Sachin Tendulkar, a veteran of the Indian Test series, who has made more than the 13-year-old Englishman’s record of 409 in the last 30 years.
Before being dismissed by Washington Sundar, who also removed Harry Brook cheaply, gave India another chance, Ollie Pope (71) put on 144 for the third wicket with Root.
However, England regained the initiative after skipper Stokes, who ended the day 77 not out after briefly retiring hurt and cramping.
And it was Stokes who had the biggest celebration at the other end when Root, his previous England captain, defeated Australian Ricky Ponting by one run to lead the field in runs.
As the Manchester crowd chanted and applauded the Yorkshireman’s name on Sky Sports, Ponting, the former Australia captain, declared, “Magnificent from Root, this is a great moment in history.”
There is no reason for him to leave Tendulkar, according to the statement made by the man.
Root ranks fourth on the list of the Test century’s most scorers alongside Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara in the 38th test century.
Former England captain Michael Atherton described him as having the honor of watching him achieve those milestones on Sky. It’s also been a pleasure to watch his career grow.
Because he was undergoing cramp treatment, Root did not attend the post-play press conference.
Instead, England vice-captain Pope responded, “Just his hunger and his drive, you look at all the batters here, and everyone has picked up something from Joe,” when asked what he admired most about his fellow top-order batsman.
The 27-year-old added, “His hunger for it is awesome. He’s a terrible example of a bad bloke, and his interactions with fans and role models for the next generation are awesome.
There is a lot to learn from him, he says.
Root’s most recent century was a failure for India’s attack, with Morne Morkel, a former South Africa quick, saying: “There aren’t many weaknesses in his game. That’s why he’s scored 13, 000 plus runs. “
Following a blistering opening partnership of 166 in 32 overs between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett on day two, with Pope 20 not out and Root on 11, England returned to the match with a 225-2 lead.
Mohammed Siraj missed an intended glance as the former England captain walked a long distance across his stumps on 21.
After Ahsan Raza decided in Root’s favor, India was given a lbw rating, which indicated the ball would have missed the leg stump despite replays supporting the Pakistani umpire’s decision.
Another terrifying occurred when Root, age 22, was about to run out but Ravindra Jadeja’s shy at the stumps missed.
Root, who finished fifth in the Test match’s list of leading run-scorers, then surpassed Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid in third place.
However, Spin eventually paid off for India when pace had plateaued, with both Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj appearing worn out in the absence of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was also hurt.
When Pope’s off-spinner Sundar’s drifted front-foot drive to KL Rahul at slip was beaten to add one more run to his lunchtime score of 70.
When Dhruv Jurel, who was playing for injured India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, stumped off Sundar and made it 349-4, England were soon leading by 349-4.
However, Stokes’ first fifty of the series kept the left-handed batsman in good touch until he gave in to cramp in his left leg.
Root threw a four-run ball to debutant paceman Anshul Kamboj, who was ineffective in 178 balls.
He calmly climbed to 150 before being crushed by a sharp stumping from left-arm spinner Jadeja, who bounced sharply.
England were still in good position at 528-7 when Chris Woakes was bowled by a Siraj ball that kept low, which was a worrying sign for India’s batsmen.
Stokes, who is undoubtedly England’s best bowler this series, was given the opportunity to re-examine his innings after he had already done so with a well-timed cover drive off Bumrah.
Source: Aljazeera
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