*TAKE NOTE, MARY EARPS

PARDON the pun, but we have run out of superlatives for Joe Root.

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And he is now in the conversation when it comes to debating Britain's greatest living sportsperson.

At the age of 34, Root is setting records which might never be broken.

Living proof to professional athletes around him of how longevity is one of the main stamps of greatness.

I wonder if Mary Earps has taken note?

Last week Earps called time on her international career.

The decision followed a meeting with England manager Sarina Wiegman in which she was told she wouldn't be her No.1 goalkeeper at this summer's Euros.

So instead of digging in, in a bid to win back her place in the team, Earps took the easier option.

Now we know the real reasons she was known as 'Mary, Queen of Stops!

It's the same option Root (above) could have chosen back in April 2022 when he stood down as captain of the England Test side.