London, July 13: England’s star batter Joe Root narrowly missed the opportunity to climb to fourth place on the all-time Test run-scorers list, falling just 30 runs short of surpassing India’s Rahul Dravid during the ongoing third Test against India at Lord’s on Sunday.
Batting in the second session of Day 4, Root was dismissed for 40 off 96 deliveries by Washington Sundar, who bowled a brilliant delivery that spun past his attempted sweep and crashed into the stumps. Root’s dismissal ended a vital 67-run stand with captain Ben Stokes and proved to be a significant moment in England’s innings.
Root currently remains the fifth-highest run-getter in the history of Test cricket with 13,259 runs in 156 Tests and 285 innings at an average of 50.80. His prolific career includes 37 centuries and 66 fifties, with a personal best of 262. In comparison, Dravid sits in fourth place with 13,288 runs from 164 Tests, averaging 52.31, with 36 tons and 63 half-centuries.The all-time list continues to be led by India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed 15,921 runs in Tests, followed by Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis.
So far in the series, Root has been consistent with the bat, scoring 253 runs in six innings at an average of 50.60, including a century and a fifty, with a top score of 104.
At tea on Day 4, England were 175/6, with Ben Stokes unbeaten on 27 and Chris Woakes on 8. Washington Sundar delivered a crucial spell in the session, removing both Root and the dangerous Jamie Smith (8) to derail England’s momentum.
Earlier in the day, England began their innings at 2/0, but Mohammed Siraj struck early to remove Ben Duckett for 12. Siraj soon followed it up by dismissing Ollie Pope for just 4. At the first drinks break, England were 42/2, with Zak Crawley and Root at the crease.
Nitish Kumar Reddy then claimed Crawley for 22, continuing the opener’s struggles in the series. Harry Brook, looking to counterattack, smashed a quick 23 off 17 balls before falling to Akash Deep, who knocked over his stumps. (IANS)
