‘He’ll overtake Sachin Tendulkar’s world record’: David Lloyd after Joe Root’s 34th Test century

Former England cricketer David Lloyd has put his weight behind Joe Root to break Sachin Tendulkar’s Test record of most runs. The former Indian batter amassed 15921 runs in 200 Test matches at an impressive average of 53.79, including 51 centuries.

On the other hand, Root scored his 34th Test century against Sri Lanka in the second innings of the second Test match at Lord’s on Saturday. With it, Root went past former England skipper Alastair Cook’s tally of centuries in the red-ball format to become country’s highest century-maker.

Earlier, Root had scored a fine knock of 143 runs in the first essay against Sri Lanka to level Cook’s record.

“That was a sublime, effortless hundred from Root,” Lloyd wrote in a column for then Daily Mail. “He’s one of those players where you look at the scoreboard and wonder how he’s got to 40. His strokeplay, footwork and head position are all in sync: it’s no accident he scores runs.”

The 33-year-old from Yorkshire has amassed 12377 runs in 145 Test matches at an average of 50.93. Lloyd feels Root will surpass Tendulkar’s record as England play a lot of Test cricket

“With the amount of Test cricket England play, and the skill he has, there’s every chance he’ll overtake Sachin Tendulkar’s world-record 15,921 runs,” Lloyd wrote.

On the other hand, England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope’s struggle continued as he returned with scores of 1 and 17 in the second Test. Lloyd wants Pope to keep things simple and follow Root’s footsteps.

“Ollie Pope is such a cultured player, but he’s trying to be something he isn’t. His dismissal in England’s second innings was another example of him trying to reinvent the wheel. Just do what Joe Root does, Ollie! Keep the board moving, look busy, pick off the ones and twos. Take stock of what you’re good at, and stop being so frenetic,” Lloyd wrote.

“I must confess, I’ve never really thought of Pope as a No 3, but this England team like a risk, don’t they? I wonder, though, if they’ll look at him and say an average of 34 from 48 Tests isn’t up to the mark,” he added.

England need eight wickets to win the second Test match against Sri Lanka and take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series.