New Delhi: continues his remarkable Test career, overtaking Australian legend Steve Waugh for the most Test appearances. The England captain took the field in the third and final Test against at Edgbaston.
He has now played in 169 Test matches, surpassing Waugh’s record of 168. With only Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson ahead of the England captain now.
England have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Babar Azam-led Pakistan at Edgbaston. The hosts have lost four Tests out of their last six at this venue, while Pakistan are looking for their first Test win at Edgbaston.
The visitors have played eight Test matches at the venue, losing five and drawing three. This match also marks a significant moment for the Three Lions, as they have named the same playing XI for all three Tests of a series for the first time since 2010.
Most matches played in Tests
200 – Sachin Tendulkar
188 – James Anderson
169* – Joe Root
168 – Steve Waugh
168 – Ricky Ponting
Pakistan 60/5 in 1st innings
England made a strong start in the third Test, with their fast bowlers dismantling Pakistan’s batting line-up. Ollie Robinson removed Saim Ayub for a duck in the third over, while Jofra Archer dismissed Azan Awais for 9 runs in the sixth over.
Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood also failed to make big contributions, while Josh Tongue removed captain Babar Azam for 7 runs as Pakistan reached 60/5 in 16 overs. Robinson and Archer took two wickets each, while Tongue picked up one.
Root’s second stint as Test captain has got off to a great start, with England overwhelming favourites to win the third Test. The hosts have won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs, and followed it up with a 194-run victory at Lord’s.
Playing XI of England and Pakistan for 3rd Test
England: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root(c), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith(w), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam(c), Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori(w), Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali.