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'He really could overtake Sachin Tendulkar': Former England captain believes Joe Root can break record for most Test runs

Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels that a 33-year-old Joe Root can score nearly 4,000 more runs in Test cricket and leave Sachin Tendulkar behind.

Joe Root and Sachin Tendulkar celebrate their respective Test centuries (Getty Images)
authorSportsTak Desk
Mon, 22 Jul 08:02 AM IST

England's veteran batter Joe Root scored his 32nd Test century, equalling the tally of his contemporaries Kane Williamson and Steve Smith. Root also neared the 12,000-run mark in Test cricket which has been achieved by only six batters in the history of the format. As England's 241-run win over West Indies at Trent Bridge, Nottingham to seal the series, former England captain Michael Vaughan has predicted that Root will eventually be able to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs in Test cricket. 
 

"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," Vaughan wrote in his column for The Daily Telegraph. 
 

"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."

 

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Root eyes Cook’s record

The 33-year-old needs 3,982 more runs to break Tendulkar’s record. However, Root is not far away from becoming the highest run-scorer in Tests for England. Former England opener Alastair Cook has scored 12,472 runs from 291 innings at an average of 46.95 including 33 centuries and 57 fifties. Root is in eighth place with 11,940 runs from 260 innings at an average of 49.95 including 32 centuries and 62 fifties.

 

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Brook plays like Pietersen?

Root contributed with a 122-run knock and shared a 189-run partnership with Harry Brook for the fourth wicket. Brook scored 109 runs from 132 balls including 13 fours. Vaughan likened Brook to former England batter Kevin Pietersen. 
 

"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," the 49-year-old opined.
 

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