England in control as Joe Root’s third century in three Tests punishes India

• India 78; England 423-8 – England lead by 345 runs
• Captain’s 121 aided by the returning Dawid Malan’s fine 70

The hangdog expression on Joe Root’s face after Jasprit Bumrah had clattered his stumps was ridiculous and telling in equal measure. Ridiculous because the England captain had 121 runs to his name – only cricket can see success end with such disappointment – and telling as regards his current unquenchable thirst.

Headingley had marvelled at the 23rd Test century of Root’s career, the third of this series against India and a sixth in 2021 to equal the English record held by Michael Vaughan and Denis Compton. Even if he failed to score another run in the last five Test matches of the year, he would still have 1,398 of them since 1 January.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/3gBkE7D
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