Joe Root Sets Test Cricket Alight: Becomes Second‑Highest Run Scorer Amid England’s Lead
Old Trafford, Manchester — Day 3, Fourth Test, India vs England
On an iconic Day 3 of the fourth Test, Joe Root achieved a monumental landmark: his 38th Test century not only steered England ahead but also catapulted him into second place on the all‑time Test run‑scorers list, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar.
Root’s Milestone Knock & England’s Advantage
- Starting the day at 332/2, Root raised his score to an unbeaten 121 at Tea, guiding England to 433/4 and a 75‑run lead over India’s first-innings score of 358.
- Alongside Ben Stokes, Root’s composed innings helped consolidate a strong respond to India’s total and maintain England’s control—even as India claimed two mid-session wickets.
Milestone Achievements
- Root overtook Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs), Jacques Kallis (13,289), and Rahul Dravid (13,288) in a single session, ending with 13,380 career Test runs at tea.
- With this innings, he also reached his 104th fifty-plus score, second only to Tendulkar on the all-time list (Tendulkar has 119 fifties).
Why It Matters: Records & Legacy
- Historic landmark: Root now holds the all-time second-highest aggregate in Test history, firmly cementing his legacy among legends.
- England’s confidence builder: His stability under pressure has allowed England to surpass India’s total and seize a pivotal advantage in the series.
- Home fortress: Root became the first batter in history to surpass 1,000 Test runs at Old Trafford, with 1,041 in 12 Tests at an impressive average of 69.40—further proof of his dominance at Manchester.
Match Situation & Turning Points
- After a dominant first session opening stand (Crawley and Duckett), India managed to pull back through Washington and Jadeja’s brief firing spells.
- But Root’s steady century and what followed tipped the scale decisively in England’s favour.
- With the bowling depleted—Bumrah sidelined briefly, Siraj hobbling—England’s lead grew unhindered
What’s Next: Day 3 and Beyond
- With the lead secured, England can continue building momentum—potentially pressing for a declaration later.
- For India: the search for breakthroughs through the middle order remains urgent.
- Root, still positioned unbeaten, threatens to pull farther ahead as the match unfolds.
Joe Root’s feat is one for the cricketing history books: a calm century under pressure that not only gave England control but also moved him past several legends into a solo second place on the all‑time run‑scorers list. As England eye the next steps in the series, Root’s performance has become both a stabilizing force and a symbol of sustained excellence.
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