Joe Root Becomes The 4th Highest Run-Scorer For England In Test Cricket

Champion batsman Joe Root continued his brilliant form in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka as he backed up his double-hundred in the first Test with a masterly 186 in the first innings of the second Test at Galle.

And, by doing that, the Yorkshireman has jumped three places to become the fourth-highest run-scorer for England in the longest format of the game as he soared past the likes of Geoffrey Boycott [8113], Kevin Pietersen [8181], and David Gower [8231].

Playing in his 99th Test, Joe Root currently has 8238 runs at an average of 49.62 which also includes 49 half-centuries and 19 three-figure scores.

The current skipper is now behind former stumper Alex Stewart [8463], Graham Gooch [8900], and his former teammate Sir Alastair Cook [12472] in terms of leading run-scorers for England in Test match cricket.

Joe Root now passes David Gower to become England's fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests ?

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It was yet another masterclass by Joe Root in how to play spin bowling in Asian conditions and his innings is the major reason why England are still afloat in the ongoing Test match.

One can gauge his dominance by the fact that Joe Root scored 54% of England’s eventual total of 344 in response to Sri Lanka’s first innings score of 381.

Jos Buttler, who scored 55 and finished as the second-highest scorer for his side, hailed his captain’s knock as a masterclass on how to bat against spin in the subcontinent.

“Yeah, quite an amazing innings by Root, to back up his double hundred in the first Test with a 186-run knock, both physically and the mental application was there to be seen. It has been a masterclass on batting against spin, it has been an education for all of us, we thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Buttler during a virtual press conference.

Ultimately, it took a freak turn of events- a run-out- to end Joe Root’s knock as England eventually finished at 344, 37 runs in arrears to the home side.