Joe Root has once again proven his class in the ongoing Old Trafford Test against India by smashing a superb century. His composure, timing and hunger for runs continue to define England’s batting backbone.
At Old Trafford on Friday, Joe Root etched his name deeper into cricket’s history books with a sublime performance against India on Day 3 of the fourth Test. The former England captain not only registered his 38th Test century but also leaped past several legendary names to become the second highest run-scorer in the format’s history.
Joe Root’s hundred saw him overtake not just Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in the morning session but eventually Ricky Ponting as well during the post-lunch phase. The moment came quietly but significantly when he guided the ball behind point for a single, edging past Ponting’s monumental tally of 13,378 runs. The feat drew a thunderous standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd who witnessed history in the making.
Ricky Ponting who accumulated his runs in 168 Tests at an average of 51.85 now sits behind Joe Root who reached the milestone in his 157th Test. Joe Root still trails the one and only Sachin Tendulkar whose summit total of 15,921 runs from 200 Tests continues to stand unchallenged. But given the pace and consistency of Joe Root’s performances in recent years, many believe that the Englishman might have a fair shot at narrowing, if not bridging, that colossal gap.
What made the moment even more memorable was Ricky Ponting himself being in the commentary box when Joe Root achieved the milestone. The Australian great was quick to offer heartfelt applause, remarking on-air that it was a magnificent moment in cricketing history. Ponting acknowledged the crowd’s appreciation and expressed his belief that Root’s career trajectory gives him every chance of closing in on the record still held by Sachin Tendulkar.
Here is how Ricky Ponting reacted:
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Joe Root’s journey in Test cricket began in 2012 with a composed 73 on debut against India in Nagpur and it is fitting that his latest landmark also came against the same opponents. But the milestones didn’t stop with run-tallies. With his century at Old Trafford, Root became the batter with the most Test hundreds against India. His 12th century against them broke the previous tie with Australia’s Steve Smith who had scored 11 in 24 matches. Just a week ago at Lord’s, Root had equaled that record with a 104-run knock.
This innings also placed Root on par with Kumar Sangakkara in terms of total Test centuries, both now boasting 38. Only three men have more — Tendulkar with 51, Kallis with 45 and Ponting with 41. As Joe Root continues to evolve as one of the most prolific batters of his generation, each match seems to carry the promise of another record tumbling, testament to a career built on elegance, grit and relentless hunger for runs.
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