Joe Root surpasses Ricky Ponting to become England's highest home Test run-scorer

England's Joe Root celebrates (AP)

Joe Root has added another major record to his remarkable Test career, surpassing Ricky Ponting to become the highest run-scorer in Test history on home soil. The England captain reached the milestone during the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's in London. Root came to the crease on Day 2 and made 24 before Pakistan pacer Mohammad Ali dismissed him lbw. Although Root was unable to turn the start into a substantial innings, those 24 runs were enough to take him past Ponting's long-standing mark. Root now has 7,594 Test runs in England, moving ahead of Ponting's 7,578 runs accumulated in Australia. India's Sachin Tendulkar occupies third place on the list, having scored 7,216 Test runs in India.

Root moves past Ponting

Root's latest achievement adds another landmark to a career that has already seen him climb to the top of several major Test batting charts. The England star has reached his 7,594 home runs in 89 Tests and 156 innings, averaging 53.85. His record includes 24 centuries and 35 fifties, with a highest score of 254. Ponting finished his home career with 7,578 runs from 92 Tests and 154 innings at an average of 56.97. The former Australia captain registered 23 hundreds and 38 fifties, with a best of 257. Tendulkar is next on the list with 7,216 runs from 94 Tests and 153 innings in India, while Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis complete the top five.

PlayerCountryTime spanMatchesInningsRunsBest scoreAverage100s50sJoe RootEngland2013-202689156759425453.852435Ricky PontingAustralia1995-201292154757825756.972338Sachin TendulkarIndia1990-201394153721621752.672232Mahela JayawardeneSri Lanka1997-201481129716737459.722334Jacques KallisSouth Africa1995-201388143703522456.732334

Tendulkar's all-time record next?

Root's record-breaking run at home has also brought renewed attention to another major milestone that remains within his reach. The England batter is currently 1,713 runs behind Tendulkar's all-time Test record of 15,921 runs. Root has scored 14,208 runs in 168 Test matches, while Tendulkar remains at the top of the overall chart. The question of whether Root can eventually overhaul the Indian legend's record is no longer a matter of "if," but "when."

England maintain control at Lord's

Root's latest milestone came as England continued to hold a commanding position in the second Test against Pakistan, although rain severely restricted the third day's action at Lord's. England reached 177-7 by the close of a disrupted Day 3, taking their overall lead to 357 runs. Only 24.5 overs were possible after showers prevented play during the morning session. The hosts eventually returned in the afternoon with England on 81-3. Dan Lawrence went on to race to an unbeaten 50 from 66 balls before another spell of rain arrived just 14 balls after the teams resumed following tea. There was no further play, with the day eventually abandoned at 6.30pm local time because of bad light.

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England lost four wickets while adding 96 runs. Emilio Gay was dismissed for 31, Harry Brook fell for 34 and Jamie Smith made seven, with Mohammad Abbas claiming all three wickets to finish the innings with 3-48. Gus Atkinson was then trapped lbw for seven by Mohammad Ali. Lawrence remained unbeaten on 50 alongside Ollie Robinson, who was on two at the close. England had earlier made 290 in their first innings before bowling Pakistan out for 110. The hosts won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings last week and are now looking to seal the three-match series against Pakistan.

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