(Video) ‘History-Maker’ Joe Root Gets Standing Ovation After Becoming 2nd Highest Run-Scorer in Test Cricket

Joe Root's 150-run knock propelled England to 544/7 by stumps on Day 3 at Old Trafford, giving them a commanding 186-run lead over India.

(Video) ‘History-Maker’ Joe Root Gets Standing Ovation After Becoming 2nd Highest Run-Scorer in Test Cricket

Joe Root was applauded by the Old Trafford crowd, after he became the second highest run-scorer in Test cricket history. (via Sky Sports)

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The crowd at Old Trafford erupted in celebration, as Joe Root achieved a historic milestone, becoming the second highest run-getter in Test cricket history. The 34-year-old received a standing ovation from the crowd after scoring a brilliant hundred against India.

Joe Root has been in scintillating form in the ongoing five-match Test series between England and India, having scored 403 runs in seven innings so far, at a brilliant average of 67.17. He stands as the Three Lions’ second-highest run-scorer in the series, having registered two centuries till now, one in the ongoing fourth Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester, and the other in the third Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.

For the 34-year-old, who most recently reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the ICC Test Batting Rankings after being briefly overtaken by Harry Brook, his innings at Old Trafford will be remembered for ages. Crafting a brilliant knock of 150 runs off 248 deliveries, Root climbed three places to become the second-highest run-getter in Test cricket history. His innings featured 14 boundaries, as he displayed his calm and composed nature to guide his side past India’s first innings total of 358 runs.

Joe Root first overtook Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid, who has 13,288 runs in Test cricket, upon reaching the 30-run mark. He then surpassed former South African all-round great Jacques Kallis, who has 13,289 runs, by hitting a single off the very next ball, ascending to the No. 3 spot. Root then went on to complete his 38th overall Test hundred in the 96th over, hitting a four off Anshul Kamboj’s delivery.

With a single off the third ball of the 104th over, Root finally claimed the second spot on the Test run-scorers list. He surpassed Ricky Ponting’s tally of 13,378 Test runs, achieving a remarkable feat that was widely applauded by the Old Trafford crowd, his teammates, and the opposition players alike. Joe Root received a standing ovation from the fans present in the stands, who cheered and roared his name. Root was ultimately dismissed on 150 by Ravindra Jadeja in the 120th over.

Ponting was commentating for Sky Sports, when he witnessed his record being broken by Joe Root, as he paid tribute to the Englishman’s determination. Even Indian captain Shubman Gill appreciated the veteran batter’s historic achievement, who showed little reaction on his face. Since his debut in 2012, Root has amassed 13,409 runs in 157 Test matches, at an average of 51.18, hitting 66 fifties and 38 hundreds.

The only player who now remains ahead of Joe Root on the Test run-scorers list is former Indian great Sachin Tendulkar, who 15,921 runs in the longest format. Furthermore, Root also equaled Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara’s record of 38 Test centuries.

How Joe Root’s Test Records Make Him England’s Greatest Red-Ball Player?

Joe Root, with his unmatched consistency, most recently became the second-highest run-getter in Test cricket history. Beyond this, the 34-year-old also has a list of other remarkable records to his name, that makes him England’s greatest red-ball player ever.

Joe Root Test records
Joe Root has several Test records to his name, which makes him England’s best red-ball player ever. (via The Independent)

Joe Root had a successful stint as England’s Test captain from 2017 to 2022, having led the side to 27 victories, which is the most by any Three Lions’ skipper. With a century at Old Trafford against India most recently, Root also became only the third English player, after Alastair Cook and Graham Gooch, to have scored over 1,000 runs at two different Test venues in the country, Lord’s and Old Trafford.

Not only his batting, but Root also holds an impressive fielding record to his name. The England batter has a record 211 catches, the most by an outfield player or non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket history, alongside the 73 wickets that he has claimed with his off-spin.