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In the post-lunch session on day three of the fourth Test in the five-match series at Old Trafford in Manchester, England’s batting superstar Joe Root reached the 38th Test hundred of his illustrious career against India, joining Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara in the all-time list. The 34-year-old brought up the milestone moment on his 178th ball, clipping Anshul Kamboj for a four down the fine leg region, his 12th boundary during England’s first innings.
After India were bowled out for 358 runs in their first innings, England got off to a great start with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett scoring fifties. Following their wickets falling in quick succession, Joe Root joined Ollie Pope at the crease, and these two batters played cautiously in the latter half of day two before batting out the first session on day three, to put England in a commanding position, bringing them close to India’s first innings total.
Joe Root shared 144-run stand for third wicket with OIlie Pope in Manchester Test
Following the fall of Ollie Pope’s wicket, with whom he shared a 144-run stand for the third wicket, Joe Root continued on his merry way with the bat in hand despite Harry Brook getting dismissed cheaply at the other end. After taking England beyond India’s total in the first innings alongside his captain Ben Stokes, Joe Root ultimately reached a three figure score to a great applause from the fans at Old Trafford in Manchester.
As of this writing, England are in complete command in the fourth Test match, reaching 409/4 in 96 overs in their first innings, to take a lead of 51 runs, and it is expected to grow way bigger. They will be looking to keep on dominating the Indian cricket team in the remainder of the Test match, firstly with the bat, and later on, with the ball, to secure an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
The fifth and final Test of the highly pulsating England versus India series is set to begin on Thursday, July 31, at The Oval in London.
