The 34-year-old surpassed three legends in one day as he cemented his place among the greats – and helped England strengthen their lead

With a characteristic glide through point for one, Joe Root entered rarefied territory. He is now the second-highest run-scorer in Test match history, after overtaking Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid on day three in Old Trafford.

England will need eight wickets not seven with a hobbling Rishabh Pant batting with broken foot a real possibility, and this pitch is not wearing that much, so lot of work to do, according to Nasser Hussain.

In a game that so often idolises the spectacular and the brash, Joe Root's journey reminds us that true greatness is forged in patience, humility, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

Jofra Archer almost follows up the wicket of Shubman Gill with the dismissal of Ravindra Jadeja but an agonising drop from Joe Root leaves India on 222-4 at they try to save the Test and the series on day five of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

On day 3, in the fourth innings of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Joe Root accidentally smacked Mohammed Siraj's wristbandwith his bat while stealing a run. This happened in the 52nd ball, when a ball from Siraj hit his pads.

Joe Root, the second highest run-scorer in Tests had climbed the run-mountain by 'eliminating risk of all possible modes of dismissal.

No airs, no graces – just a wave of the right hand and a slight nod of the head from one of sport’s most self-effacing figures, as Joe Root humbly acknowledged a standing ovation when he passed Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run scorer in Test history.