IT’s time to commission a Joe Root textbook and hand it out to every aspiring young cricketer.
The 33-year-old surpassed Alastair Cook’s record of 12,472 Test runs and it would take a very brave person to bet against him chasing down Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921. With time on his side, finishing top of the tree is well within touching distance.
Root has been the embodiment of consistency, resilience and class for English cricket over the past decade.
His performance on the pitch and behaviour off it should be shown as a shining example for future generations.
The Yorkshireman has never been involved in a street fight, sent derogatory text messages about team-mates, failed a drugs test, drunkenly piloted a pedalo or rubbed dirt onto the ball, like some of the England greats before him.
He has always been a squeaky-clean man of honour – all while maintaining an impeccable performance.
Essentially, he’s the guy you want your daughter to bring home.
Root thoroughly deserved his MBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list and was presented with his medal earlier this year.
It surely won’t be long before he joins Sir Ian Botham and Sir Alastair Cook by taking the right knee before the King for the greatest UK honour – a knighthood.
Nadal send-off
Rafael Nadal will get a grand send-off at the Davis Cup – but it may come at a cost to his country.
Spain take on the Netherlands next month and there are eight Spaniards ranked above Nadal who could be picked.
But captain David Ferrer will be forced to choose his retiring 22-time Grand Slam winner, even if he is not match fit.
Harry Brook has admitted he put his full faith in Joe Root as the pair helped England to a record-breaking first Test victory against Pakistan in Multan.The duo
England completed an extraordinary victory over Pakistan on day five of the first Test in Multan, beating the hosts by an innings
Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this feature52nd over: Pakistan 208-7 (Jamal 52, Shaheen 9) Ollie Pope has dropped Jamal. He hook
Joe Root became England’s all-time highest Test run-scorer on Thursday as he eclipsed Sir Alastair Cook’s tally of 12,472 in the first Test against Pakistan