Joe Root has vowed he still has “plenty more left to do” after a marathon century in Multan saw him become England’s record Test run-scorer. Root needed 71 to leapfrog Sir Alastair Cook’s mark of 12,472 and become the most prolific batter in the nation’s history, securing the honour in emphatic fashion on day three of the series opener against Pakistan. He batted all day to reach 176 not out, showing deep reserves of skill, steel and stamina to steer his side to 3-492 – just 64 behind the hosts’ 556.
It was more an examination of his physical toughness than his renowned technical prowess, with the 33-year-old laying siege at the crease for over eight hours and battling brutal bouts of cramping, muscle fatigue and dehydration in the unforgiving Punjabi heat. In nine sessions, he has been off the field of play for just eight deliveries. England’s Joe Root celebrates a century.
(Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images) Root shared stands of 109, 136 and 243 with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and fellow centurion Harry Brook (141no) as he ground out his 35th Test ton, extending another record he inherited from Cook in the summer. Only four of the sport’s authentic greats now stand before him among all-time run-scorers – Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar in pole on 15,921. At 33, the popular Yorkshireman is ready to keep on churning out the scores in his bid to outdo them all.
“I’m obviously proud but I still feel there’.