"Plenty more to do" - Joe Root not satisfied yet after setting records on day 3 of PAK vs ENG 2024 1st Test
England's record-breaking batter Joe Root is determined to add more runs to his tally after becoming the country's highest run-scorer in the longest format. The former Test skipper said he is single-mindedly focussed on winning the Test in Multan.
Root, who enjoyed a prolific home summer, became the leading run-getter for England in Test cricket after overhauling Sir Alastair Cook's tally of 12472 runs. The right-handed batter is now fifth in the list of top run-scorers in Test cricket.
Speaking after the third day's play in the first Test against Pakistan, the 33-year-old said he will look back on this feat once he finishes and take pride. However, Root claimed that the prospect of winning the Test excites him a lot more and said, as quoted by BBC sport:
"I’m obviously proud, but still feel there’s plenty more left to do. I’m sure I’ll look back at it when I’m finished and be very proud of it, but I think more than anything just the way we played today as a team is what stands out. We’ve still got an opportunity to win the game, which is really exciting. Hopefully we can kick on tomorrow. Things can happen quite quickly towards the back end of the game. We’ll continue to work hard to take advantage of this great start we’ve got."
After Pakistan scored 556 in their first innings, England have been comprehensive in their response. The 33-year-old's 35th century and his unbroken partnership with Harry Brook has helped the visitors whittle the lead down to 64 with seven wickets in the shed.
"Don't see Root losing that hunger and ability to keep driving" - Sir Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook underlined that he expects Joe Root to keep his drive and hunger going for the next two years. The former opener told BBC Test Match Special:
"I would be betting on Root to do it. I don't see Root losing that hunger and ability to keep driving himself forward for the next couple of years. The only slight hurdle in his way will be the Ashes series - there is always something happening around the series. It's in 14 months' time and there's always a story about the damage that happens or doesn't happen around every Ashes series."
The visitors will be determined to take a lead on day 4 in Multan.