Joe Root has been impressing in England training as he eyes yet another Test record.
The batter is already England‘s top run scorer in two formats of the game, and he’s one grab away from another milestone.
Root is closing in another moment of historyAFPBy taking a catch off Josh Tongue in the incredible win over India at Headingley, the Yorkshireman moved level with Rahul Dravid for the most catches by a fielder.
He is on 210 catches, meaning should he get one more, he will be the most successful non-wicketkeeper in Test history and prove he is more than just a world-class batter.
The take off Tongue’s bowling brought him level with Dravid on 210, and it was a classic Root take.
Shardul Thakur swiped at a wide delivery, and it flew straight to Root, who made no mistake in claiming the catch.
It marked another personal milestone in a career that has been littered with them.
And ahead of the second Test getting underway, England have released some footage showing just how good Root is as a slip-fielder.
The video shows the ball being edged to the left of Root, requiring him to throw in a full-length dive.
Root manages to take the grab one-handed to thunderous applause from his teammates and the coaching staff.
Root is already England’s record holder for non-wicketkeeper catches after surpassing Sir Alastair Cook some time ago, but he can soon be the all-time best.
Of course, Root is almost always played as slip-fielder, meaning he is likely to get more chances to take catches.
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However, it is very rare that he drops one and that is reflected in the statistics.
The 34-year-old started the first Test on 208 catches before he was there to snaffle up KL Rahul after he slashed at a Brydon Carse delivery before taking Thakur to move level with Dravid.
It should also be noted that Root has moved level with the Indian great after 13 years as a Test player.
Dravid managed his 210 in 16 years, so it’s even more impressive from the England star.
Root heads into the second Test of the five-match series knowing he can contribute more with the bat.
During the first innings, the former captain made 28 before his nemesis Jasprit Bumrah got him.
Root is an all-round elite playerGettyMost Test catches for fielder
Joe Root – England – 210
Rahul Dravid – India – 210
Mahela Jayawardene – Sri Lanka – 205
Steve Smith – Australia – 200
Jacques Kallis – South Africa – 200
The second innings was much more like the Root we know and love as he recorded a 66th Test 50 to help the home side comfortably chase down 371 to make history.
No side had ever won a Test when the other had made five individual centuries, but Ben Stokes‘ men managed it.
Ben Duckett was the star of the show with a stunning 149 before Jamie Smith finished things off in the middle with Root, who ended on 53 not out.
His attention now turns to trying to break another record, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t manage it at some point in this Test.
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