Ollie Pope thinks Joe Root could break Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become the highest Test run-scorer. Root went past Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Ravindra Jadeja bowled Root for 150 off 248 balls with 14 fours.
Pope said, If he stays healthy and wants to play, I think he will. He’s batting so well. He wants to be number one, but I think he mostly just wants to keep playing. He’s always happy to play Test cricket. I wouldn’t be surprised if he caught Tendulkar.
Pope also praised Root’s 150, saying that was exactly what England needed.
He said, That was exactly the kind of innings the team needed. It was nearly perfect. He didn’t give any chances and just played his normal game. The way he approaches cricket and trains is amazing. He’s great to watch, and he keeps getting better.
Root also went past Steve Smith’s record for most centuries against India, with 12. He now has nine Test centuries against India at home, which is the most by any batter, beating Don Bradman’s eight against England.
Pope said England’s captain Ben Stokes had leg cramps, probably from the physical strain of the series. Stokes has bowled a lot, pushing his body hard.
Pope said, I think Ben Stokes was cramping in his leg, and it spread to his whole leg. It’s probably from pushing himself so hard for the last month or so. He’s bowled more in this series than ever before, and we still have another game. He’s really pushed himself.
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Stokes scored his 11,000th international run in all formats against India and was not out on 77 at the end of day three. England finished the day on 544/7, with a lead of 186.
Stokes went off the field with a problem in his left leg during the final session after reaching his fifty. He came back to bat and, along with Liam Dawson (21*), prevented any further problems.
Stokes now has 11,016 runs in 272 matches across all formats, with an average of 35.88, 18 centuries, and 61 fifties.
