Joe Root was happy to look past another record-breaking day in his brilliant career and focus on helping England win the first Test against Pakistan in Multan.
Root, who became England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket yesterday, today compiled his biggest total in the longest format with a superb 262 as part of an incredible team effort that saw the tourists reach 823 for seven before stand-in skipper Ollie Pope declared.
Root and fellow Yorkshireman Harry Brook led the way with a fourth-wicket partnership of 454, the highest by an England pairing. Brook made 317 to become just the sixth Englishman to make a score of 300 or more.
It all amounted to England holding a first innings lead of 267 and they maintained their stranglehold on the game by reducing Pakistan to 152 for six by the close, seamers Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse taking two wickets each.
The first English player to reach 20,000 international runs across formats – how good is @ROOT66 😱#YORKSHIREFAMILY PIC.TWITTER.COM/PX4JZOOLO0
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) OCTOBER 10, 2024
England should wrap up victory early on day five to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
On a day full of statistics, Root was quick to point out that records don’t mean that much unless the team wins. He told BBC Test Match Special: “They are pretty cool things. It would mean a lot more if we can win this Test match. You look at the situation where they had 556 on the scoreboard and to be this far ahead in the game is the best thing.
“It’s been a phenomenal couple of days from the team. That last session was a huge feat.
“To take six wickets on a pitch like that and then put ourselves in a position where we have a real chance to win the game tomorrow now is a testament to the work ethic of the group and our ability to exploit the conditions.”
On Brook, he added: “Brook was outstanding.
“Everyone who has spent time at the wicket has looked good and made the most of a good batting wicket. It was nice for us to get together and keep the partnership going.
“I think we keep each other going. We have a good laugh out there in the middle. We have played a lot of cricket together whether it be for Yorkshire or for England. He’s fun to play with.”
Highest individual score ✅
Maiden treble century ✅
Largest England partnership ✅
Highest score in his family ✅
Is there anything Harry Brook can’t do?#YORKSHIREFAMILY PIC.TWITTER.COM/BALEZVWBQA— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) OCTOBER 10, 2024
The heat and humidity in Multan meant individual milestones were greeted with muted celebrations due to the players trying to conserve energy.
“There was a lack of emotion, partly down to the heat,” Root explained. “Just the amount of energy that is taken out of you playing in these conditions is huge. It’s been quite pleasing to acclimatise and just drawing on that mental resilience.
“I make sure I do the work and put myself in some really tough situations in training so that I am really ready for these conditions. I know I can bat for long periods of time and when it gets tough, I can get through it.”
