Joe Root adds another feather to his cap, breaks world record with stunning catch

LONDON: England’s batting maestro Joe Root achieved another milestone on Friday as he became the all-time leading catcher during the third Test against India at Lord’s.

Joe Root is shattering multiple records in Test cricket. Earlier on the morning of day two, Joe Root surpassed cricketing legends Rahul Dravid and Steve Smith after notching up his 37th century.

After scoring the ton on the first ball of the day,  Root climbed an elite list of most Test centuries. By doing so, he went past Dravid and Steve Smith, both of whom had 36, and edged closer to Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who has 38.

Most Centuries in Test Cricket

• Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 51
• Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 45
• Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 41
• Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 38
• Joe Root (England) – 37*

Now, Root has surpassed the record of former India captain Rahul Dravid for taking the most catches in the longest form of the game.

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The 34-year-old demonstrated excellent athleticism when he caught a one-hander stunner of well-set Karun Nair (40) in the first slip off Ben Stokes’ bowling in the 20th over.

Ben Stokes bowled it on the shorter side of a length, which squared up Karun Nair, and Root took it brilliantly to end Nair’s resistance at the home of cricket.

At the time of filing this report, India were 80 for 2 in the last session of Day 2 in their first innings, with KL Rahul (25) and Shubman Gill (2) on the crease.

Most Catches For a Fielder in Tests

211* – Joe Root (296 inns)

210 – Rahul Dravid (301 inns)

205 – Mahela Jayawardene (270 inns)

200 – Steve Smith (225 inns)

200 – Jacques Kallis (315 inns)

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