Root surpasses Cook as England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket. His next big target is Tendulkar

With an exquisite straight drive for four, Joe Root broke another Alastair Cook record and became England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket.

Root surpassed retired Cook's total of 12,472 runs by hitting 71 during England's first innings on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan on Wednesday. He ended the day with 176, which gave him his 35th Test century.

The 33-year-old Root moved to fifth place in the all-time list of Test run-scorers, behind India's Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Australia's Ricky Ponting (13,378), South Africa's Jacques Kallis (13,289) and India's Rahul Dravid ( 13,288). All four above Root are retired and within touching distance of a batsman who said before the tour to Pakistan: “I see myself playing Test cricket for a lot longer.”

“There are other geniuses who can play brilliant innings. But Root is a genius with consistency,” said Cook, who was commentating on the game on BBC radio when his record was taken over by Root.

Root was technically excellent and owned virtually all the strokes. Last month he surpassed Cook's record of 33 Test centuries by an England batsman when he scored hundreds in both innings against Sri Lanka at Lord's. His most recent appearance was his first in Pakistan and moved him to sixth place on the all-time list of century makers.

“I’ve never seen this hunger, determination or relentlessness in anyone,” Cook said of Root. “He does it in an elegant way.”

Ben Stokes, the England Test captain who missed the first game of the series due to injury, praised Root's character and performance in a video released by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“He’s an incredible player,” Stokes said. “It will take a very, very long time for someone to come along and break this record. Just a great guy. And it's an incredible achievement to score so many runs.

“But the selflessness that he possesses is something I think sets him apart from anyone else who will play for England for a long time to come.”

Root waved to his teammates moments after reaching the milestone before raising his bat in recognition. He shook hands with Stokes and bowling mentor James Anderson as he left the field during the lunch break, shortly after surpassing Cook's Test run total.

“He's such a humble guy – you wouldn't know he's great in the dressing room,” said England teammate Ben Duckett.

Root is playing in his 147th Test and came into the Pakistan series with an average of over 50, while Cook made 161 Test appearances and batted in 291 innings with an average of 45.35.

They are England's third and fourth most capped players, behind now-retired fast bowlers Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Root has more runs against India than any other opponent – 2,846 in 30 Tests. Next up is Australia, against whom he has scored 2,428 in 34 Tests, while his best average is 62.54 against Sri Lanka.

Root was captain of the England national team from 2017 to 2022. Before the captaincy he had an average of 52.80, during it he was at 46.45, and since his retirement he has returned to his previous level.

The most productive year of his Test career was 2021 when he scored 1,708 runs. He has completed 1,000 runs in a year five times.

He has settled in at No. 4 in England's batting order and has shown in recent summer Tests against the West Indies and Sri Lanka that he has the courageous and occasionally ruthless approach that he and his England team-mates took at the start of the so-called 'Bazball' era under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

Those risky ramp shots and reverse scoops have largely disappeared – although he still managed to attempt one against the Sri Lankans at Lord's – and it's harder to dismiss him for them.

Root's next big goal is to knock Tendulkar – the Little Master – off the top of the all-time list and, injury permitting, he has a good chance of achieving that.

“You could say Sachin is still the favorite, but only fair,” Cook said.

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AP Sports Writer Rizwan Ali in Islamabad, Pakistan, contributed to this story.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket