Mark Taylor backs Joe Root to overhaul Sachin Tendulkar's record of most runs in Test cricket

Joe Root was England’s hero once again as he guided his side to victory in the 1st Test against New Zealand at Lord’s. Root, who remained unbeaten on 115, scored his 26th ton in Tests and breached the 10,000-run mark in the process. He also became the joint youngest to do so. Former Australian cricketer Mark Taylor believes that the former England skipper can break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most runs in Test cricket.

Root became the 14th batter to reach the 10,000-run landmark in Test cricket. He is only the 2nd Englishman to do so after Sir Alastair Cook. The right-handed batter made his debut for the English national team in 2012 and took less than a decade to reach the celebrated landmark.

The 31-year-old is receiving plaudits from every corner and Mark Taylor gave him the highest compliment when he opinionated that Root can become the highest Test run-getter, breaking Sachin Tendulkar who amassed 15921 runs in 200 Test matches during his illustrious career.

“Root has a minimum of five years left in him, so I think Tendulkar’s record is very achievable. The root is batting as well as I have ever seen him bat over the last 18 months to two years. He is in the prime of his career, so there is 15,000 runs-plus for him if he stays healthy,” Taylor told Sky Sports.

The captaincy started to really take a bad toll on my own personal health: Joe Root

Joe Root relinquished the captaincy role after losing the Test series against West Indies earlier this year. The loss had followed a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the Aussies in the Ashes. He ended his tenure with the most matches (64) and wins (27) as captain for England’s Test side. The elegant right-hander opened up about his five-year-long captaincy stint after his ‘Man of the Match performance against the Kiwis.

“It had become a very unhealthy relationship, to be honest, the captaincy and me. It started to really take a bad toll on my own personal health. I couldn’t leave it at the ground anymore, it was coming home,” Root said in a conversation with reporters after the first Test at the Lord’s.