Former England skipper, Joe Root garnered a lot of eyeballs in world cricket after becoming only the 14th batter to score over 10,000 runs in Tests. He became just the second England batter after Alastair Cook to surpass the tally of 10,000 Test runs during a match-winning ton against New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday. His typically composed 115 not out took England, who had been faltering at 69 for four, to a target of 277 and a five-wicket victory over the World Test champions with more than a day to spare.
Joe Root’s performance has put him “above everyone” among the ‘Fab Four’ of modern-day cricket which includes Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, according to former BCCI selector Saba Karim.
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During a recent interview with India News Sport, Saba Karim said, “He has gone far ahead. If we see England’s batting, only Joe Root’s name is coming up again and again. It means Joe Root has not got support from the other end. If we talk about India, with Virat Kohli there is always support like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant among other. That is the situation in New Zealand and Australia too.”
He further added, “Even in overseas conditions like in India or in Sri Lanka, Root has singlehandedly won England matches. Joe Root has left the other three batters far behind in the last two years. Whether we talk about consistency, technique or temperament, in all these aspects Joe Root is above everyone at the moment.”
Saba Karim was also impressed with the fact that Root’s century against New Zealand came in the fourth innings.
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Elaborating the same, Saba Karim said, “It’s never easy to score a ton in the fourth innings. That too against such a team which has got strong bowling attack. Trent boult, Kyle Jamieson, Colin de Grandhomme…New Zealand have so many good bowlers. If somebody is batting well in the fourth innings, it shows that the guy is strong both technically and mentally.”
Joe Root’s current Test batting average is just under 50, the mark of an all-time great, with his tally of 26 centuries at this level exceeded for England only by the retired Cook’s 33.
