Root is getting better as he goes

JOE Root had another red-letter day in his extraordinary career, leaping from fifth to second among the all-time Test run-scorers with a majestic 150 as England ran roughshod over India.

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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 Emirates Old Trafford but he reemerged before the close, having dealt with cramp in his left leg.

Root therefore kept top billing, sharing stands of 144 alongside Ollie Pope, who contributed 71, and 142 with Stokes, who went to stumps on 77 not out, to build on the foundations laid by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett the day before.

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.