Root hits new runs milestone

Batsman up to second in all-time Test list

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JOE ROOT had another redletter day in his extraordinary career, leaping from fifth to second among the alltime Test run-scorers with a majestic 150 as England ran roughshod over India.

Root put Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in his rear-view mirror before following up a 38th Test ton by reaching 120 to eclipse Ricky Ponting’s tally of 13,378 runs on day three of the fourth Rothesay Test.

Only Sachin Tendulkar’s near-sacred haul of 15,921 runs is in front of Root, who closed to within 2,512 after an innings that formed the backbone of England’s 544 for seven and a significant lead of 186.

Ben Stokes retiring hurt after going to his first fifty of 2025 may have put a dampener on proceedings at Old Trafford but he reemerged before the close, having dealt with cramp in his left leg.

England are firm favourites to claim an unassailable 3-1 series lead this weekend and not even a late cluster of wickets could disguise a bad day for the tourists.

It might have turned out differently had Ravindra Jadeja thrown down the stumps from backward point when Root was on 22 after England resumed on 225 for two in response to India’s 358.