Atherton drops major prediction after Root becomes 2nd-highest Test run-scorer: 'He should be up to Tendulkar in...'

It was quite the memorable day for Joe Root at the Old Trafford on Friday, with the senior England batter surpassing the trio of Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to jump to the second spot on the all-time run-scorers’ list in Test cricket. Only Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who had signed off with 15,921 runs in the format in 2013, stands between him and the No 1 spot on the list.

‘Numbers will take care of themselves’

According to former England captain and opener Mike Atherton, Root might end up surpassing Tendulkar in less than three years’ time in the twilight of his career.

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“Root averages about 85 runs a Test match, so he’d likely need 30 Test matches to get up to Sachin (Tendulkar to claim the Test record),” Atherton said on Sky Sports on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India in Manchester.

“You never know what lies ahead in terms of freak injuries, sport can be a cruel mistress, but given a fair wind he should be up to Tendulkar in around two and a half years.

“Given how he’s playing right now – the best he’s ever played – and given there’s no diminishing of his love and desire for the game, the numbers will take care of themselves,” he added.

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Root goes level with Sanga, breaks Bradman’s record

Besides surpassing the legendary trio on the Test run-scorers’ list, Root also brought up his 38th Test century, helping him go level with iconic Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara at the fourth spot on the list of batters with most Test tons.

Root, in the process, broke Don Bradman’s record for most Test hundreds at home against a single opposition – 9 of his 12 Test hundreds against India have come on home soil compared to 8 for the Australian legend against England.

Root’s heroics and his solid fifth-wicket partnership with captain Ben Stokes helped England cruise to 433/4 at tea on the ‘Moving Day’ stretching their lead to 75 and virtually ensuring the hosts, who are 2-1 up in the five-match series, cannot lose the fourth Test and thereby the series.