Root's class bridges the great divide

NEVER has a Lancastrian crowd accepted gifts from Yorkshire with as much warmth as the ovations for Joe Root's latest assault on greatness.

- By Simon Mullock

Eric Cantona crossed the Pennines from Leeds and became adopted royalty down the road at the 'other' Old Trafford.

And Erling Haaland, born in the land of the White Rose, will forever be worshipped under a Blue Moon on the other side of Manchester.

But as Root's 38th Test century, and his 12th against India, carried England over the horizon in the fourth Test yesterday, the adulation transcended all rivalries on one of sport's oldest fault lines.

They cheered him to the rafters when he reached three figures with a deft leg-glance, his 12th boundary off 178 balls of unflustered brilliance.