Joe Root had another red-letter day in his extraordinary career, leaping from fifth to second among the all-time Test run-scorers with a majestic 150 as England ran roughshod over India.
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See subscription optionsRoot put Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in his rear-view mirror before following up a 38th Test ton by reaching 120 to eclipse Australian great Ricky Ponting's tally of 13,378 runs on day three of the fourth Test.
Only Sachin Tendulkar's near-sacred haul of 15,921 runs is in front of Root, who closed to within 2,512 after an innings that formed the backbone of England's 7-544 and a significant lead of 186.
Ben Stokes retiring hurt after going to his first 50 of 2025 may have put a dampener on proceedings at Old Trafford but he re-emerged before the close, having dealt with cramp in his left leg.
Root therefore kept top billing, sharing stands of 144 alongside Ollie Pope (71) and 142 with Stokes, who went to stumps on 77 not out to leave England firm favourites to claim an unassailable 3-1 series.
It might have turned out differently had Ravindra Jadeja thrown down the stumps when Root was on 22 after England resumed on 2-225 in response to India's 358.
Root's nudges in front of and behind point took him to 30 then 31, going past Dravid and Kallis. A 104th 50-plus Test score followed, by which time Pope also had a half-century.
With India short of ideas, Washington Sundar was belatedly introduced in the 69th over and he made the breakthrough after lunch dismissing Pope.
India had another breakthrough immediately when Harry Brook was drawn out of his crease by Sundar and stumped for three.
But Root was unflustered by Sundar and Jadeja and was in the 90s and England in the lead when India finally took the new ball after 90.2 overs.
The former England captain then moved joint fourth on the list of Test centurions, equalling Kumar Sangakkara, when glancing fine for his 12th four off Anshul Kamboj.
After reaching his 25th Test hundred since turning 30 four-and-a-half years ago, Root then ran for a single to go past Ponting on the stroke of tea.
After the break, Stokes appeared increasingly discomforted before walking off the field on 66 with cramp.
Root's excellent knock finally ended trying to defend against Jadeja and Jurel whipping off the bails for a second stumping.
Stokes then re-entered the fray as he and Liam Dawson, who went to the close on 21 not out negotiated the final few overs.
Australian Associated Press
