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Michael Vaughan, the ex-England skipper turned cricket analyst, has stirred up the cricketing community with a bold proclamation regarding Joe Root. Vaughan expressed confidence that Root has the potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in Test cricket history.
During the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on July 21, Root, the former England captain, exhibited his exceptional form by scoring his 32nd Test century. This outstanding innings not only showcased Root’s prowess but also placed him on par with contemporary stalwarts Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Steve Smith of Australia in terms of Test centuries.
Joe Root is on the verge of becoming England’s highest-ever Test run scorer.
In addition to surpassing West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul to become the eighth-highest run scorer in Test cricket history, Joe Root’s latest century edges him closer to the prestigious 12,000-run milestone achieved by only six players in the traditional format of the game.
Currently boasting 11,940 runs from 260 innings at an impressive average of 49.95, Root has notched up 32 centuries and 62 fifties in Test cricket. He also stands on the verge of eclipsing Sir Alastair Cook’s record as England’s leading run scorer in Tests, needing just 532 more runs to surpass Cook’s tally of 12,472 runs from 291 innings.
Despite still requiring 3,982 runs to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s monumental record for the most runs in Test cricket history, which stands as a daunting challenge, Michael Vaughan remains steadfast in his belief that Root possesses the unique talent and potential to achieve this historic feat.
Michael Vaughan forecasts Joe Root breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s Test record.
Vaughan also commended Root for his innovative batting approach, highlighting his adept use of the reverse scoop shot, which he executed skillfully en route to his century. Root’s superb innings of 122 runs in the second innings, embellished with 10 boundaries, proved pivotal as England set a challenging target of 385 for the West Indies to chase at Trent Bridge.
The England cricket team eventually secured a commanding 241-run victory in the second Test, thereby claiming a decisive 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-match series against the West Indies on July 21. The stage is now set for the third and final Test, scheduled to commence on July 26 in Birmingham.
Michael Vaughan wrote in his column for The Daily Telegraph: “Joe Root will become England’s leading run-scorer in the next few months and is so special that he really could overtake Sachin Tendulkar eventually. With the bat generally they did not look reckless like they have in the past. They are scoring quickly, but it doesn’t look like their egos are taking over. They are just playing with good sense. As the rock, Root is obviously key to that, and I love that he kept the reverse-scoop in the locker until he was past 100 and England’s lead was massive.”
Michael Vaughan compares Harry Brook to Kevin Pietersen.
Meanwhile, Vaughan drew parallels between Harry Brook and former England star Kevin Pietersen after Brook’s impressive innings of 109 runs from 132 balls. Brook’s partnership with Root, worth a pivotal 189 runs for the fourth wicket during the second innings of the second Test against the West Indies, underscored his potential and drew comparisons to Pietersen’s impactful playing style.
He signed off by saying, “Then there’s Harry Brook, who is going to provide spectators so many ‘I was there’ moments in the next few years. He will play innings and shots that just make you go ‘wow’. I have seen players with time, but I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone with that much time to play aggressive shots looking very easy. Stillness, trigger, hands high, cocked wrist. There is a bit of Kevin Pietersen there, that ability to play jaw-dropping innings.”