ENG vs IND | Twitter impressed as Joe Root’s milestone-laden knock takes England to driver’s seat

‌It was a day of milestones for Joe Root as England dominated yet again on the third day of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford to reach 544/7. The former England skipper scored his 38th century in Tests and went past Ricky Ponting to be second on the list of highest run-scorers in the longer format during his knock of 150.

Starting day three of the fourth Test at 225/2, England extended their overnight advantage with Joe Root and Ollie Pope adding 107 runs in the first session against India at Old Trafford in Manchester. The duo completed their half-centuries as the hosts walked in for lunch after a dominating session that saw them reach within 26 runs of India’s total without losing any wickets.

But off-spinner Washington Sundar gave the visitors a ray of hope with the wickets of Ollie Pope, who departed after making 71, and Harry Brook in the space of four overs. However, skipper Ben Stokes joined Root to further India’s woes as the pair added 84 runs with the side sitting pretty at 433/4 at tea. Root also reached the three-figure mark during the same session.

Stokes completed his fifty in the final session before retiring his innings at 66 with a hamstring strain, halting his 142-run stand with Root. The former skipper also completed his 150 shortly before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja after a marathon knock lasting 248 balls. However, Stokes had to return after the fall of two more wickets and remained unbeaten on 77 at the close of play. For India, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja finished with two wickets each on a mentally draining day.