Joe Root becomes the 2nd highest scorer in test cricket as England takes control against India

MANCHESTER, England (AP) – Joe Root became the second highest career run-scorer in test cricket and hit his 38th century in the format as England reached 433-4 on Friday to lead India by 75 runs.

Root was 121 not out at tea on day 3 of the fourth test at Old Trafford, with England captain Ben Stokes 36 not out.

The 34-year-old Root, who had moved third on the all-time runs list in the opening session, overtook Australia’s Ricky Ponting (13,378) in the afternoon to go second. Root’s current total is 13,380 and still far behind first-placed Sachin Tendulkar (15,921).

Ponting, commentating on the match for Sky Sports, congratulated Root and said the Old Trafford crowd had “witnessed a moment in history.”

He then backed Root to become the all time No. 1.

“Just one more to go. The way his career has gone over the last five years, there’s absolutely no reason why not,” he said.

Of more importance for England was a commanding performance in Manchester with the host heading for a substantial first-innings lead and hoping to clinch the five-match series, which it currently leads 2-1.

Resuming on 225-2 and replying to India’s first innings of 358, Root and Ollie Pope were both on half centuries at lunch as the visitors struggled to have any impact with the ball.

Pope eventually went for 71 when caught by KL Rahul off Washington Sundar. And Sundar soon had his second wicket when Harry Brook (3) was stumped by Dhruv Jurel.

But England overcame that wobble with the Root and Stokes partnership.

England carried on its impressive batting from day 2 when it took control of the match with a blistering opening partnership of 166 by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.

Root’s landmark day could have ended early when he survived nearly being run out on 22 following a miscommunication with Pope that left him way out of position when Ravindra Jadeja tried to capitalize. Before that Root narrowly avoided being out leg before wicket. But that was long forgotten as Old Trafford stood to applaud his latest outstanding performance.