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Root seizes major WTC milestone as England eye series win  ICC World Test Championship

Root seizes major WTC milestone as England eye series win ICC World Test Championship

Shouldering England's chase on Day 4 of the series decider against India, Joe Root created ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history.
The seasoned England batter became the first-ever to notch 6000 runs in the tournament.
Featuring in his 69th Test, Root is the leading run-getter in WTC, having featured in all four editions of the tournament so far. Batter Matches Runs Joe Root 69* 6000* Steve Smith 55 4278 Marnus Labuschagne 53 4225 Ben Stokes 57 3616 Travis Head 52 3300
Boasting 20 centuries and 22 half-centuries, Root averages over 52, and is followed by Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Stokes and Travis Head in the top-five of the WTC charts.
The former England skipper has been on a milestone-achieving spree during the ongoing five-Test series against India.
In Manchester, Root had overtaken Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-getter in Men's Tests.
He is also joint-fourth in the tally for most centuries in the longest format of the game - 38 - alongside Kumar Sangakkara.
The 34-year-old also has the most catches as an outfield player in the longest format, a tally he topped during the ongoing series against India.
Root's form with the bat holds England in good stead as they continue to embark on a big chase against India with the five-Test series on the line.
The hosts currently lead 2-1 following memorable wins at Headingley and Lord's.
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Siraj attains career-best ranking after match-winning haul at The Oval
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time4 days ago

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England v India player ratings: Root 9, Stokes 8; Gill 9, Siraj 9.5

Mohammad Siraj fittingly took the final wicket as India snatched a thrilling 2-2 draw with England on a nerve-shredding final morning at The Oval on Monday. The tourists claimed a six-run win early on the last of the 25 match days there have been in one of Test cricket's great series. While it was a tour of personal triumph for Siraj, not everyone could say the same. England series ratings Ben Duckett (462 runs at 51.33) - 8/10. No batter scored runs at a quicker rate in the series, and Duckett's often came at vital times, too. Zak Crawley (290 runs at 32.22) - 6. The only regular England batter not to score a century, yet still had an influence via his partnership with Duckett. Ollie Pope (306 runs at 34.00) - 5. Made a ton, but when the going is at its toughest it often feels like it is left to other batters to pick up the slack. Joe Root (537 runs at 67.12) - 9. Three centuries, a load of new career milestones to boot, plus that tribute to Graham Thorpe. Harry Brook (481 runs at 53.44) - 8. Challenging Root's claim to being the most important batter in the side, albeit by entirely contrasting means. Ben Stokes (304 runs at 43.42; 17 wickets at 25.23) - 8. He remains everything, all at once: the savior of Test cricket, while at the same time being a very naughty boy (as shown by handshake-gate). Jacob Bethell (11 runs at 5.50; no wickets) - 4. Not the influence he would have liked in his one game, but exciting times are still ahead. Jamie Smith (434 runs at 62.00; 20 catches, one stumping) - 8.5. The gamechanger the Bazball revolution needs. Docked half a point for not seeing England across the line at The Oval. Chris Woakes (11 wickets at 52.18) - 5. Made some incisions but looked a shadow of himself with the ball. Potentially played his last Test, but signed off a hero going to the crease in a sling. Brydon Carse (Nine wickets at 60.88) - 5. 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