Ferdinand, Morgan and Pietersen lead tributes to Joe Root
‘What a batsman, what a leader’: Rio Ferdinand, Piers Morgan and Kevin Pietersen lead tributes to Joe Root after superb double-century against India… and Sir Alastair Cook backs England’s captain to overtake him as nation’s top run scorer in Test cricket
- Joe Root marked his 100th Test match with a superb-double century in India
- Rio Ferdinand, Piers Morgan and Kevin Pietersen led the tributes on Twitter
- Alistair Cook backed Root to overtake him as the nation’s top Test run scorer
Rio Ferdinand, Piers Morgan and Kevin Pietersen led the tributes to England captain Joe Root after he reached a superb double-century on his 100th Test match in India.
The Yorkshireman hit a magnificent six to bring up 200 runs in the second session on day two in Chennai.
Root, who eventually went for 218, has now surpassed Alec Stewart into third place on England’s Test run charts but Sir Alistair Cook believes he can overtake him as the all-time leading run scorer.
Joe Root has been lauded for his superb double-century in his 100th Test match against India
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand led the tributes on Twitter on Saturday
TV presenter Piers Morgan also praised the captain and called him ‘England’s run machine’
Channel 4 presenter Rishi Persad said Cook was still England’s top run scorer but the former batsman replied: ‘Not for long!’
The batsman was lauded for his display by fans on Twitter with former Manchester United defender Ferdinand tweeting: ‘Just witnessed @root66 hit a 6 to get his double hundred…. jheeeeeezus. Happy Saturday.’
TV presenter Morgan was also quick to heap praise on the England captain, writing ‘ROOOOOOOOOOT!!’ with two flame emojis.
Root, who went for 218, surpassed Alec Stewart into third place on England’s Test run charts
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen simply tweeted: ‘Sir Joe Root’ in response to his 200
Ex-India cricketer and pundit VVS Laxman also praised Root for his ‘incredible double ton’
He then added: ‘England’s run machine captain @root66 moves past 200… again. His 5th Test double-hundred. What a batsman, what a leader.’
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen simply tweeted: ‘Sir Joe Root!’ after the 30-year-old brought up his double-century.
Ex-India cricketer and pundit VVS Laxman added: ‘What an incredible double ton from @route66. One of the finest knocks played by an Overseas batsmen in India. Amazing display of focus, responsibility and technique. To score 3 consecutive 100’s out of which 2 are 200 is no mean achievement. #class.’
After backing him to overtake his run record in Test cricket, Cook went on to call Root a ‘genius’.
‘The biggest compliment you can say is that their opening batsman is bowling at him. He’s batted India into submission in five sessions,’ Cook told Channel 4.
Sir Alastair Cook called the 30-year-old a ‘genius’ and backed him to overtake him as England’s all-time leading run scorer in Test cricket
‘It’s been an absolute masterclass from him and who says he isn’t going for that triple? He hasn’t looked in any trouble whatsoever. Absolutely fantastic batting, we’re watching a genius play.’
‘He’s continued on where he’s been all winter, 600 runs I think he’s scored already in 2021 and he’s only played three games. The guy is in the form of his life and most importantly he’s cashing in.’
Root didn’t quite manage to bring up the treble as he went for lbw off a Shahbaz Nadeem delivery.
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