Joe Root becomes the 2nd highest scorer in test cricket as England takes control against India

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Just one man stands in the way of Joe Root and cricketing history.

With his latest batting masterclass of 150 on Friday, the England star became the second highest run-scorer in test cricket behind India great Sachin Tendulkar.

“Just one more to go," said Ricky Ponting, the former Australia batter who Root leapfrogged on day 3 of the fourth test against India at Old Trafford. England leads by 186 runs after reaching 544-7 at stumps.

That commanding position was largely thanks to Root's brilliance on a day when he took his career run-total to 13,409. And despite having a long way to go to overtake Tendulkar (15,921), Ponting, who watched from the commentary booth, is backing the Englishman to become the all-time No. 1.

"The way his career has gone over the last five years, there’s absolutely no reason why not,” he said before adding that the crowd had “witnessed a moment in history.”

With Tendulkar in his sights, it was fitting that the 34-year-old Root's charge up the rankings came against India.

“He’s not a big one for landmarks, but I think that’s a pretty cool one, second highest test runs is incredible,” said England vice-captain Ollie Pope. "I’m sure he knew what the number was (that he needed) but he's not a guy who wants to shout about it.

“The hunger he has, I wouldn’t be surprised if he chased him (Tendulkar) down.”

On the brightest day yet of this test, Root lapped up the adulation of the crowd, which rose to applaud as he checked off one personal achievement after another.

There was a half-century at lunch, which saw Root move up to third on the runs list, surpassing greats Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis.

His 38th test century came next and soon he was passing Ponting. Just when thoughts might have been turning towards a double century, he was stumped by substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel off Ravindra Jadeja.

There was more applause and chants of “Rooooot” as he walked to the pavilion, having helped England take control of a match it's hoping to win to clinch the five-match series, which it leads 2-1.

“The way he goes about his cricket, the way he trains, the amount of runs he's got, is amazing. He's a joy to watch and to see how he goes about his stuff. He keeps getting better and better,” said Pope.

The day could have gone very differently had Root not survived nearly being run out on 22, following a miscommunication with Ollie Pope that left him way out of position when Jadeja tried to capitalize.

Before that he narrowly avoided being out leg before wicket. But that was long forgotten as Old Trafford stood to applaud his latest outstanding performance.

Root was not the only one who impressed as England carried on its brilliant batting from day 2, when the opening partnership of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put on a blistering 166 in reply to India’s first innings 358.

England resumed on 225-2 and Pope joined Root with a half-century at lunch as the visitors struggled to have any impact with the ball.

Pope eventually went for 71 when caught by KL Rahul off Washington Sundar. And Sundar soon had his second wicket when Harry Brook (3) was stumped by Jurel.

England overcame that wobble when Ben Stokes (77 not out) came out to join Root.

The pair looked impenetrable as the England captain reached 66 not out and Root continued to score freely. It was only when Stokes retired hurt with cramp in the evening session with England on 491-4 that the partnership was eventually broken. Then India began to have some joy on a difficult day.

Root was stumped to make it 499-5. Smith (9) was caught by Jurel off Jasprit Bumrah and Chris Woakes (4) was bowled by Mohammed Siraj.

Wickets fell so quickly that Stokes was back at the crease before stumps to join Liam Dawson (21 not out).

Moving a lot more comfortably, Stokes added 11 runs to his score as England headed for a substantial first-innings lead.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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

England's captain Ben Stokes loose his balance while playing a shot on the third day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Friday, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's Joe Root plays a shot on the third day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Friday, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

India's Mohammed Siraj reacts after bowls a delivery on the third day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Friday, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Fans watch the third day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Friday, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's Ollie Pope plays a shot on the third day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Friday, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's Joe Root plays a shot on the third day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Friday, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's Joe Root celebrates after scoring a century on the third day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Friday, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

CARY, N.C. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw isn't done pitching just yet, agreeing Thursday to join the U.S. team for this year's World Baseball Classic.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues. He had a $20 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.

“I was too broken for the insurance to cover my arm and everything,” Kershaw said on MLB Network, “so now that it doesn't matter I get to go and be a part of this group.”

A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.

“I just want to be the insurance policy,” Kershaw said. “If anybody needs a breather or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back or if they don’t need me to pitch at all, I’m just there to be there. I just want to be a part of this group.”

Later Thursday, new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman announced he will join the U.S. team.

When Kershaw received a call from U.S. manager Mark DeRosa, he thought he was being invited as a coach.

“I didn't have a whole lot of interest in picking up a baseball again," Kershaw said. “I started throwing 10, 12 days ago and it doesn’t feel terrible, so I think I’ll be OK.”

Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gabe Speier.

The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Britain, Italy and Mexico.

Shohei Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to end Japan's 3-2 win in the 2023 championship. Kershaw doesn't anticipate facing Ohtani, his teammate for the Dodgers' World Series titles in 2024 and 2025.

“I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against team Japan in the finals or something. I think we got plenty of guys to get that guy out and not me,” Kershaw said. “But if that happens, I'll be nervous. I'll be nervous at this point.”

AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates the end of the top of the 12th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of baseball's World Series, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)