Joe Root’s masterful 150 took him up to second on the all-time Test run-scorers’ list and gave England complete control over India after day three of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
By reaching 31, Root overtook India great Rahul Dravid and legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis, and in continuing beyond 120, he went past former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
His century was his 38th in Tests and it ground down a poor and beleaguered India as England reached 544-7 at the close, leading by 186.
After escaping a run-out chance on 22, Root’s latest triumph was chanceless.
He put on 144 with Ollie Pope and after Pope fell for 71 and Harry Brook for three – both to Washington Sundar in quick succession – Root shared a stand of 142 with Ben Stokes.
Their partnership was broken when Stokes retired hurt on 66 with cramp in the evening session and Root was struggling with a similar issue when he was finally stumped off Ravindra Jadeja shortly after.
Having both spent time off the field with injury, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes respectively after which Stokes returned.
He ended the day 77 not out alongside Liam Dawson who is unbeaten on 21.
The hosts now have two days to complete the victory that would give them an unassailable 3-1 series lead.
