Joe Root Surpasses Ricky Ponting as Second-Highest Test Run Scorer
Historic Achievement for Joe Root
Manchester [UK], July 25: In a remarkable display of skill, England's seasoned batter Joe Root has eclipsed former Australian captain Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run scorer in Test cricket history. His impressive performance alongside England's captain Ben Stokes has propelled the team to a significant lead over India by the end of the second session on the third day of the fourth Test in Manchester.
At tea, Root and Stokes had forged a partnership of 84 runs off 131 balls, bringing England's score to 433/4, which is a lead of 75 runs. Root was not out at 121, while Stokes remained unbeaten on 36.
Beginning the second session at 332/2, with Pope (70*) and Root (63*) at the crease, England was trailing by 26 runs. Washington Sundar made an immediate impact after lunch, taking two wickets by dismissing Ollie Pope and Harry Brook.
Stokes then joined Root, and together they achieved a 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket in the 94th over, pushing the hosts past the 400-run mark.
Root celebrated his 38th Test century by driving the ball to fine leg for a four off Anshul Kamboj in the 96th over. This century marks his 23rd in home Tests, tying him with legends Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Mahela Jayawardene for the most centuries scored in England.
Root's affinity for scoring against India continues, as he has now surpassed Steve Smith to claim the record for the most centuries against the Indian team in Test matches, with a total of 12 hundreds.
Earlier in the match, a century partnership between Ollie Pope and Joe Root brought England close to India's first innings total, as they ended the first session with over 300 runs on the board on day three.
Starting the first session at 225/2, with Pope (20*) and Root (11*) not out, England displayed aggressive intent, capitalizing on some loose deliveries from Mohammed Siraj and a missed run-out opportunity against Root.
The duo soon reached their 50-run partnership, with Pope hitting a fine shot for four against Bumrah, helping England surpass the 250-run mark in 54.5 overs.
After scoring his 31st run, Root surpassed Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis to become the third-highest run-scorer in Test history. Despite the relentless efforts of Indian pacers Bumrah, Siraj, and Kamboj, the Root-Pope partnership continued to accumulate runs steadily.
Pope returned to form, reaching his fifty in 93 balls, featuring six boundaries. A missed chance to dismiss him in the 63rd over by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel proved costly for India.
A stunning straight drive by Pope off Kamboj helped the pair achieve their 100-run partnership in 172 balls.
England crossed the 300-run threshold in 66.5 overs, with Root also reaching his half-century in 99 balls, including six fours. The duo maintained their momentum against the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, ensuring England finished the session strongly.
Brief Scores: England: 433/4 (Joe Root 121*, Ben Duckett 94; Washington Sundar 2/30) vs India: 358 (Sai Sudharsan 61, Rishabh Pant 58, Ben Stokes 5/72).