Sarkar, Saif carry Bangladesh to series victory over West Indies

The visitors lasted only 30.1 overs in Dhaka, getting bowled out for 117 in a chase of 297

Mohammad Isam23-Oct-2025

Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar put on the second-biggest opening stand for Bangladesh in ODIs•AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh blazed a hole through West Indies in a 179-run win in the third ODI, achieving their first series victory since March last year. Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar put together a scintillating 176-run opening stand which provided the backbone for Bangladesh’s 296 for 8. The visitors lasted 30.1 overs, getting bowled out for 117 in reply.Rishad Hossain claimed three wickets to take his series haul to 12, becoming the first Bangladesh bowler since 2015 to take more than ten wickets in a bilateral ODI series. Nasum Ahmed also picked up three wickets while Tanvir Islam finished with 8-0-16-2.Bangladesh got off to a fast start, unusual for this series as it was played on mostly dark, cracked, spin-dominated pitches. Sarkar (91 off 86) and Saif (80 off 72) went on a boundary spree that lasted 25 overs. The two stylish batters matched each other stroke for stroke as they raised Bangladesh’s second-highest opening partnership in ODIs and the first century opening stand at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in ten years..Saif struck Akeal Hosein for two fours in the first over, followed by his first six in the left-arm spinner’s next over. That inside-out strike over the covers set off the big-hitting spree. Sarkar struck Roston Chase for two sixes, both reverse-hits early in the innings. Saif focused on hitting straight, blazing Chase for his second six before he overturned an on-field lbw decision when he was on 28 and extended his innings.Alick Athanaze pulled off a stunning catch off his own bowling•AFP/Getty Images

Justin Greaves broke a sequence of 59 consecutive overs of spin from West Indies, across two matches, and Sarkar welcomed him two fours through fine leg. Saif, then, played the shot of the innings. He charged Greaves who tried to cramp him, but the batter backed himself and the result was a lovely high-elbow loft that went for a big six down the ground.Saif struck two boundaries in the 16th over, one bringing up Bangladesh’s 100-run opening stand, and the next one taking him to his maiden fifty. Sarkar wasn’t done at the other end. He slammed Khary Pierre for a straight six before he went after Motie with a six and four in the 25th over. Just like that he was into the nineties.Chase ended the opening stand in the 26th over when he had Saif caught at long-on. Sarkar was left distraught when he also holed out in the deep, at midwicket, nine short of his fourth ODI ton.The rest of the Bangladesh batters couldn’t quite do justice to the Saif-Sarkar double act. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy added 50 runs for the third wicket. Alick Athanaze took a tremendous catch to remove Shanto, running back from his bowling mark before diving full length.West Indies had a bit of respite when Hosein removed Mahidul Islam, Rishad and Nasum, all in the 46th over. Still, Bangladesh’s 296 – which included a record-equalling 14 sixes – looked like a formidable total on the Dhaka surface.West Indies never got their chase going, as they ran into Nasum who took their first three wickets. Athanaze fell lbw trying to paddle Nasum in the fifth over, before Ackeem Auguste, playing a similar shot, also fell lbw for a duck.Brandon King, who struck a six and two fours, was Nasum’s third wicket, bowled for 18. Shai Hope fell for just 4, mishitting Tanvir Islam in the 14th over. Sherfane Rutherford became Rishad’s first wicket, when he inside-edged one to Mehidy Hasan Miraz at midwicket, having made 12. He had a particularly poor ODI series.West Indies’ lower half caved in steadily. Rishad bowled a full toss and had Chase out for a duck, before trapping Gudakesh Motie for his third. After winning the first ODI and losing the second in a Super Over, the emphatic victory in the third match sealed the series 2-1 for Bangladesh.

Torcedores do Botafogo escolhem o pior jogador na derrota contra o Junior Barranquilla

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Os torcedores votaram na enquete do canal do WhatsApp do Lance! Botafogo e elegeram o pior jogador na estreia na fase de grupos da Libertadores, contra o Junior Barranquilla, da Colômbia. O Alvinegro perdeu por 3 a 1.

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De acordo com os alvinegros, Eduardo foi eleito o pior jogador do Botafogo na partida com 49% dos votos (459 votos).

O segundo lugar ficou com Mateo Ponte. O lateral-direito teve 26% dos votos (246 votos). Gatito Fernández foi o terceiro lugar com 16% dos votos (152 votos) e, por último, Junior Santos, o artilheiro do Botafogo na Libertadores, recebeu 9% dos votos (81 votos).

A enquete foi realizada no canal do Lance! Botafogo no WhatsApp. Além de ter muito conteúdo e informação, você também pode interagir e votar em outras enquetes.

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England decline opportunity for pink-ball practice in Lions fixture

Three squad members released for day-night match in Canberra, but first XI head direct to Brisbane

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Nov-20252:13

Stokes defends attacking approach after batting collapse

Just three of England’s men’s Ashes squad will join the Lions to play in the Prime Minster’s XI fixture in Canberra, with only Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue dropping in for the two-day match which begins on Saturday.The trio were unused for the first Test in Perth, with Bethell and Potts playing for the Lions against a Cricket Australia XI, which ran parallel to the Ashes opener. Both matches started on Friday, but the match at Lilac Hill ended up running twice as long. However, it concluded on Monday with an identical result; a dominant eight-wicket win by the home team, led by a glitzy century from Josh Inglis, opening the batting in the Travis Head role.That England are not sending their ‘starters’ to Canberra will draw scorn, with many pundits already critical of their anticipated absence even before Monday’s confirmation.Related

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As well as offering them more cricket after the opening Test lasted just two days, the day-night fixture would have given them invaluable experience ahead of the the pink-ball Test match at the Gabba, which begins on December 4. England do not have a great day-night record, losing five out of seven, including two on the previous Ashes tour. Australia, meanwhile, have won 13 out of 14 under lights.”It’s amateurish if they don’t go and play now,” Michael Vaughan, England’s 2005 Ashes-winning captain, said. “What harm is playing two days of cricket with a pink ball under lights?”It’s not being old-school to suggest that a pink ball is different to a red ball. Playing under the lights is different. Australia have won pretty much every pink-ball game in Australia: they’ve lost once. I’m not too old-school to suggest that they should play in that game… I’d like to know why they wouldn’t.”Both Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum espoused the value of keeping the squad together after Saturday’s chastening conclusion to the first Test, both to isolate them from the outside noise and maintain spirits. That they are sticking to their guns is no surprise.The main squad will travel from Perth to Brisbane on Wednesday, and will begin training at the Gabba this weekend. The Lions, along with Bethell, Potts and Tongue, head to Canberra on Tuesday.

Leeds open to selling £40k-p/w star who Firpo called "unbelievable" this January

Leeds United “would sell” Wilfried Gnonto in the January transfer window, with it being revealed they would reinvest the money raised into a different key area of the squad.

The Whites may need to reshuffle their squad somewhat this winter, given that results have gone downhill considerably over the past few weeks, suffering defeats in four of their last five matches in the Premier League.

Losing games is one thing, but it will be particularly concerning for Daniel Farke that his side were beaten by fellow strugglers Burnley and Nottingham Forest, with Sean Dyche’s side running out 3-1 winners at the City Ground last time out.

There are some difficult fixtures on the horizon before Christmas, with the 2024-25 Championship winners set to take on Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, which means they are at real risk of being cut adrift by the time the transfer window opens.

Leeds willing to sell Wilfried Gnonto to fund move for new striker

Consequently, Leeds may have to take drastic measures in an attempt to preserve their Premier League status, with top source Dean Jones revealing they are prepared to cash in on Gnonto, saying: “This is going to be a transfer window of opportunism and there are clubs who have been tracking Gnonto, wondering if he is finally going to leave. I expect someone to try their luck, and I have a feeling the player will have his head turned if a big enough side comes in for him.

“Leeds would sell him at the right price, I’m pretty sure of that.

“I get the feeling he’s a player they would now sell and then reinvest because they really are looking for some new life in their attack.

“Primarily that would be in the shape of a striker, but I wouldn’t rule out any player with attacking nous at this point because the club’s hierarchy know they have left the team short of options up top.”

The £40k-a-week winger has struggled on the injury front this season, being ruled out due to a calf issue, but he was unable to make a real impact even prior to being ruled out, failing to register a goal or an assist in his opening four Premier League games.

At 22-years-old, the Italian is still young, and he has previously received high praise from Junior Firpo, who said: “Nobody expected it, when he first came in. He is a shy guy, didn’t talk too much; on the pitch, too. But unbelievable from day one.”

However, Leeds clearly need to bring in a new striker, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin failing to hit the ground running, having scored just once in nine Premier League games, so it may be worth cashing-in on Gnonto to fund a move for a centre-forward.

Leeds and 49ers keen to sign Troy Parrott in January Leeds and 49ers keen to sign Troy Parrott in January after Ireland heroics

This would be much-needed for Daniel Farke.

ByHenry Jackson Nov 17, 2025

Shohei Ohtani and Agent Sued Over $240 Million Real Estate Project in Hawaii

Shohei Ohtani and his agent are being sued by a Hawaii real estate investor and a broker who were fired from a $240 million luxury housing development, according to the Associated Press.

Some very expensive homes are being built on Hawaii's Big Island on the Hapuna Coast at the Mauna Kea Resort and Ohtani bought one of those homes for about $17 million. He was apparently asked to get involved because of his "celebrity and promotional value." Reports of his buying one of the homes first surfaced in April 2024.

According to the lawsuit the Dodgers star and his agent, Nez Balelo, are accused of "tortious interference and unjust enrichment." Balelo allegedly kept asking for concessions until the point where developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto were both pushed out.

In a statement emailed to on Tuesday, Kingsbarn Reality Capital called the allegations “completely frivolous and without merit.”

“Kingsbarn takes full responsibility for its actions regarding Kevin Hayes and for removing Tomoko Matsumoto as the project’s broker. The Mauna Kea project is world class, and we look forward to welcoming our final group.”

You can check out the area and some of the houses on the project's website.

According to the Associated Press, Ohtani plans to live there in the offseason and will "construct a small hitting and pitching facility for preseason training."

'I hope he makes the right decision!' – Jonathan Tah offers transfer advice to Nico Schlotterbeck as Bayern Munich target Borussia Dortmund's star defender

Nico Schlotterbeck’s future at Borussia Dortmund is up in the air. With Bayern Munich and Liverpool both pushing to sign the defender and contract talks at Dortmund stalling, his Germany teammate Jonathan Tah has stepped in, offering advice and support as the 25-year-old weighs a crucial decision about his next move.

Contract tension building at Dortmund

According to a report from , the German centre-back has turned down Dortmund’s latest contract offer and is growing frustrated with the team’s playing style under coach Niko Kovac. His current deal runs until 2027, but reports suggest he is unlikely to sign an extension, increasing speculation about a possible move next summer. The 25-year-old joined Dortmund from Freiburg in 2022 and has since become one of the club’s key players, making 134 appearances in all competitions. Despite his importance, uncertainty around his future continues to grow.

Dortmund are reportedly preparing a new contract proposal that would keep him at the club until 2030 and are even ready to triple his salary. However, the German international has shown no intention of committing to an extension for now, preferring to keep his options open amid growing interest from top European clubs, including Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTah’s advice to Schlotterbeck amid transfer rumours

Speaking during a press conference ahead of Germany's World Cup qualifying match against Luxembourg, Tah had nothing but praise for his national teammate and domestic rival. The Munich defender urged the Dortmund centre-back to think carefully before making his next move.

"This is an exciting situation for Nico," said Tah. "He's an outstanding player who always works on himself, who always wants to improve. It's a crucial point in his career right now, and I simply hope he can make the right decision for himself. Many doors are open to him. I wish him all the best in making his decision."

The German also made it clear that he is there to support his teammate if needed. "If he needs advice or wants to talk to me, he's welcome to do so. I'm here," he added.

Recently, Schlotterbeck himself spoke highly of Tah, calling him 'a better defender' and explaining why the pair work so well together for the national team.

"Jona is very communicative on the pitch and simply important to me. Defensively, he has been a very strong defender for years now and has done extremely well. For me, the ball-playing aspect is perhaps a bit more interesting than for him. He's perhaps a better defender, though. That's why it's a good fit."

Bayern and Liverpool monitoring closely

Dortmund's rival Munich are reportedly keeping a close eye on German's situation as they look to strengthen their backline ahead of next season. With Dayot Upamecano’s contract set to expire next year, Bayern could turn to Schlotterbeck as a younger replacement. Meanwhile, the reigning Premier League champions are also in the race. The Reds are preparing for defensive changes, with Virgil van Dijk reaching the twilight of his career and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate’s future, whose contract expires this summer amid interest from Los Blancos. 

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Getty Images SportWhat’s next for Schlotterbeck?

With both Bayern and Liverpool circling, Schlotterbeck faces a career-defining choice. Dortmund want to keep him. Last month, Sporting director Lars Ricken publicly addressed the situation, making it clear that while the club respects Schlotterbeck’s hesitation, they won’t let talks drag on.

“We will not rush into anything. But of course, we don't want to drag it out indefinitely, everyone is aware of that," Ricken told .

For now, the German won’t feature in the national team's upcoming match after withdrawing from the squad due to injury. The defender’s priority would be to recover quickly and help Dortmund get back into the title race. The club currently sits third in the table, behind Bayern and RB Leipzig, with six wins from ten games.

Chelsea star was "not good enough" last season; now he's on par with James

They might not have won, but Chelsea put in an incredible performance against Arsenal on Sunday evening.

Enzo Maresca’s side were comfortably on top for most of the first half, and even when Moises Caicedo got himself sent off, they remained competitive.

Moreover, there were sensational displays from across the pitch for the hosts, including, of course, Reece James.

However, there was another starter, someone who was previously lambasted by Gary Neville, who was just as crucial to the result.

James' performance vs Arsenal

James has undoubtedly been one of the best right-backs in the Premier League for some time now, but Maresca has taken to playing him in midfield more often this season.

The Italian opted to start his captain there again on Sunday, and while there was plenty of talk around the battle between Declan Rice and Caicedo, it was the Cobham graduate who stole the show.

For example, while Trevoh Chalobah was the one who headed home the Blues’ goal, it was the versatile James who delivered it with pinpoint accuracy from the corner.

However, the academy graduate did far more than just provide an assist.

In his 94 minutes of action, he played two key passes, won 100% of his tackles, won 11 of 12 duels, didn’t get dribbled past at all, recovered the ball twice, completed three of his four crosses, took one shot and completed 100% of his dribbles.

James’ game v Arsenal

Minutes

94′

Assists

1

Big Chances Created

1

Key Passes

2

Crosses (Accurate)

4 (3)

Shots

1

Touches

50

Dribbles (Successful)

1 (1)

Fouls Won

4

Interception

1

Clearances

1

Recoveries

2

Ground Duels (Won)

6 (6)

Aerial Duels (Won)

6 (5)

All Stats via Sofascore

In addition to all the measurable metrics, the 25-year-old also showed his leadership skills, helping to marshal the team in the moments the Gunners exerted pressure of their own.

Described as “absolutely ridiculous” by one analyst and “gargantuan” by presenter Olivia Buzaglo, the Redbridge-born international was unsurprisingly, and deservedly, named as the man of the match.

Without him in the middle of the park, there is a good chance that Chelsea would not have won that game, which is what could be said about another starter who has been heavily criticised over the last few seasons.

The Chelsea star on a par with James

The excellent news for Maresca and the Stamford Bridge faithful is that there were more than a few starters who truly shone last night.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Be it Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Enzo Fernández or even Pedro Neto, who carried the ball up the pitch and into dangerous areas again and again.

However, when it comes to someone who was previously lambasted but exceptional against Arsenal, it’s impossible to look past Robert Sanchez.

Prior to this season, the Spanish goalkeeper was seen as something of a blunder waiting to happen between the sticks, and to some extent, that is what he’s been for much of his time in West London.

In fact, just last season, after a loss against Manchester City in which he was at fault for one of Erling Haaland’s goals, Gary Neville claimed “he’s not good enough.”

However, since the start of this season, the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace has been far more impressive, and on Sunday evening, he was as important as James for the Blues’ win.

On top of stopping a number of good efforts, like Gabriel Martinelli’s in the first half, the 28-year-old was effective in possession and confident in collecting crosses.

In fact, football.london’s Bobby Vincent awarded the keeper an 8/10 match rating at full time, writing that it was a ‘top performance.’

Sanchez’s game v Arsenal

Minutes

94′

Total Saves

3

Saves in the Box

2

Goals Prevented

1.18

High Claims

2

Key Passes

1

Touches

60

Recoveries

11

All Stats via Sofascore

Unsurprisingly, the statistics back up this appraisal: in his 94 minutes of action, the shot-stopper made three saves, two of which came inside the box, prevented 1.18 goals, made two high claims, played one key pass, took 60 touches and recovered the ball 11 times.

Ultimately, while it will take some time to shift his old reputation, Sanchez is well on his way to doing so, and was as important as James in Chelsea’s draw on Sunday.

Chelsea star who saved Caicedo is their "most underappreciated player"

The underrated Chelsea ace made sure Caicedo’s red card didn’t cost Enzo Maresca’s men against Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 30, 2025

Root won't get his nickers in a twist despite pre-Ashes jibes

England’s senior batter prepares to return to ODI action, but talk of his technique for Australia’s pitches dominates

Cameron Ponsonby25-Oct-2025

Joe Root begins a seminal winter with a strong run of form under his belt•Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Little known fact. Joe Root has never made a hundred in Australia.It will be the sub-genre of the summer. A much anticipated Ashes series, in which one of the greats of the game has the chance to complete a caveat-free career. An away win, and a full set of centuries in every Test-hosting nation he has played. Except for Bangladesh and the UAE. They don’t rate him in Dhaka.Matthew Hayden confidently made the claim that if Root didn’t end the Aussie summer with a Test ton, he’d strip nude to run around the MCG. But others aren’t so sure.”Wrists limper than a French handshake,” former Aussie legspinner and broadcaster Kerry O’Keeffe said on Fox Sports. “It doesn’t work in Australia.””The first two Tests are huge for Joe Root. They’re nickers’ Tests. Perth? They nick for fun there. And Brisbane day-night? Everyone nicks in Bris.”Joe Root is a nicker. When he was last here, in his first eight innings he nicked off. Australia knows this. What will be his defensive set-up? I’m very bearish about Joe Root.”O’Keeffe’s argument is that Root previously chose to stay inside the ball, as he was of the belief they wouldn’t target him with the offcutter, only for a different weakness to appear, that meant he was playing away from his body.It is a rare technical examination of a player who has averaged 58.00 since Brendon McCullum took over, but a prescient one given Australia’s recent tendency to produce pitches that favour their seam bowlers. Since the start of the 2021-22 Ashes, top-seven batters in Australia have averaged 30.22 per dismissal, compared to 38.14 in the four-year cycle before that. By contrast, England’s pitches have gone the other way. The average in the four years before McCullum’s appointment was 30.90; it has since been 38.94.”England play pretty well on the flatter wickets, the way they play,” Steve Smith said recently. “So, if there’s a bit in it like there has been the last three or four years, with our bowling attack, it certainly makes things a lot more difficult for their batters.”Nevertheless, Root sees no need to tamper with his technique. Arriving in New Zealand ahead of England’s three-match ODI series, it will be the final three hits he has before lining up against Australia in Perth.”A lot of that prep’s already started back home,” Root said, explaining how he’s balancing his preparation for an ODI series today with the carrot of the Ashes starting tomorrow.”I think how I’d prepare now is different to how I would have done 10 years ago. A lot more mental. I’ve clearly played against a lot of their guys now. Know how they operate, know what they’re likely to try to bring to the series.”I used to be very technical in how I prepared. I’d want to make sure that everything felt lined up and my feet were in the right place, my head was in the right place, whereas now I’m a little bit more concerned about how I’m looking at the game, how I’m going to approach different situations, whether that be the surface, whether that be different bowler types, different angles, and being able to manage those different angles when they come wide of the crease. Things like that.”Related

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This will be Root’s fourth Ashes tour. His individual record is respectable, averaging 35.68, but not befitting of a player of his own calibre. England’s record across that time, however, is diabolical: 15 matches, 13 defeats, two draws, zero wins.”They’re all different,” Root said of how the build-up to this series has compared to previous tours. “I look at it at this time and I’m in a completely different stage of my career. I’m no longer captain, I’m playing some really good cricket, and so are we. We’re playing in a really exciting way. We’ve got a great group of players that we can go there and hit them with different tools than we’ve had on previous tours, so when you look at it like that, it’s a really exciting prospect.”Clearly, Australia are really good in their own conditions, with a great record at home, especially against us, but that’s the exciting bit right? There’s an opportunity there to do something a bit different and hopefully achieve something really special.”Despite the ODI World Cup being two years away, these three matches against New Zealand are not without complete jeopardy. England are currently ranked eighth in the world after winning only eight of their last 23 fixtures. Failure to automatically qualify for the World Cup remains unlikely, but only if they nip in the bud a continued slide in the format.”I don’t think that’s necessarily anyone’s fault of what happened before,” Root said of the ODI group’s relative stability under Brook and McCullum, compared to previous leadership.”You look at the number of crossovers of Test series and one-dayers, it was physically impossible to get there. There was a one-day series against the Netherlands when we were playing a Test match at Old Trafford. You think how can that happen?”New Zealand themselves haven’t played an ODI since April, but remain ranked third in the world. The weighting of points in the ICC rankings is such that it presents a major opportunity for England to win some matches, and lift themselves away from any potential future problems.”I don’t think it’s arrogant to say you look at the quality that’s within our squad, and we’re not an eighth-in-the-world team,” Root said. “We should be competing and jostling for that top spot.”New Zealand are a very good team and if you try to sleepwalk into it or you’re preoccupied with what’s around the corner, then they’ll hurt us really badly. We want to keep making strides under Brooky after what was a difficult Champions Trophy. This is a great opportunity to build on what we started over the summer.”

Shane Bieber to Return From Elbow Injury, Make Blue Jays Debut Friday

Two-time All-Star Shane Bieber is set to return to the mound this week.

Bieber, who has not played in over a year since undergoing Tommy John surgery for a torn UCL last April, will make his Blue Jays debut on Friday at Miami, manager John Schneider told reporters. Bieber has recently completed seven starts as part of his rehab assignment, posting a 1.89 ERA and 37 strikeouts across 29 innings.

Bieber was traded to Toronto in July at the deadline after previously spending his entire career with Cleveland, and will begin pitching for a Blue Jays' team that is second in wins and fourth in strikeouts, but just 23rd in ERA. He joins the rotation a little over a month before the end of the regular season, as the Blue Jays lead the American League East with a 73-52 record.

The 30-year-old pitcher has been one of the best starters in the league when healthy. In the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, his best campaign, Bieber went 8-1 with a league-leading 1.63 ERA and 122 strikeouts and won the triple crown and Cy Young award. When he last saw significant playing time in 2023, he went 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA.

Record-breaking Root arms England with control of Manchester Test

Root’s 150, Pope and Stokes’ fifties leave India playing catch-up

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Jul-20254:14

Manjrekar: ‘Serious chance’ for Root to break Tendulkar’s record

This is the way Joe Root would have wanted to ascend to No. 2 on the Test run-scoring charts. With an immaculate 150, his 38th century, which did not just certify England’s command of this fourth Test – and, thus, the series – but took it out of India’s reach. They closed day three on 544 for 7, leading by 186 on a deteriorating surface. An innings victory for an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the series is not out of the question.At Old Trafford, a sellout crowd hung on every tuck, flick, dab and drive as England’s greatest batter confirmed, statistically, he was the second greatest of all time. Illuminated by Manchester’s generous Friday sun, Root moved past the greats Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to sidle up next to Sachin Tendulkar. And though Tendulkar still commands an imposing lead at the summit, England’s own little master is coming for him.It will take time. Certainly longer than it took to knock off three legends in one go. Upon moving to 31, Root snuck past Dravid (13,288) and Jacques Kallis (13,289), bumping the latter off the podium to join Tendulkar and Ponting. And, four minutes before the end of the second session, he walked down to open the face for a single down to third to move to 120, knocking Ponting (13,378) down a peg. The legendary Australian sung Root’s praises on Sky Sports upon being usurped.

Root did little more than raise a thumb to his skipper, Ben Stokes, with whom he shared a 142-run stand before Stokes was forced to retire hurt for the first time in his Test career, on 66.It was here at Old Trafford that Stokes was carried off during the Hundred, suffering the first of two hamstring tears in six months. This, though, was just cramp in his left leg, shaken off 13.1 overs later to return to see out the day. Stokes wanted to embrace Root when he moved to 13,379 runs, as they had done for the century, after Root tickled his 178th delivery around the corner for his 12th boundary. Instead, turned down by the thumb, he applauded from his end.Root’s hundred, by the way, was also noteworthy on the all-time charts, going level-fourth with Kumar Sangakkara on 38. It was also Root’s 12th century against India, the most by any player, now ahead of Steven Smith. And as if that was not enough, he became the first player to reach a 1000 Test runs at this venue.Root would make it to 150, his 16th time to that score – another one over Ponting – before being stumped off Ravindra Jadeja. It was the third of four dismissals affected by Dhruv Jurel, the stand-in wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence, and the only man on the field in Indian whites who could claim to have had a decent day.Joe Root and Ollie Pope looked immovable in the morning session•Getty Images

Much of that was on Root, who had taken England to a 141-run lead by the time he had finished, more than flipping the deficit of 133 that existed on Friday morning. Both he and Ollie Pope ticked through a wicketless first session, with Pope registering his 25th 50-plus score before Root punched the card for his 104th from 99 deliveries.Their stand of 144 was their sixth century partnership, putting them ahead of any other pairing under Stokes’ tenure. They ran brilliantly throughout, toying with the outfield, with just one moment of real alarm when Root was on 22.With Root reeling from a Mohammed Siraj delivery that leapt off a length, Pope charged down while calling his partner through, forcing Root to head to the bowler’s end. Jadeja’s throw from point was off target, but both he and Siraj were furious that neither mid-off nor mid-on had taken the initiative to come up to the stumps. The single brought up the fifty-run stand for the third wicket.Pope might have also been dismissed before his final score of 71, though his edge on 48 off Anshul Kamboj was as tough a chance as they come for Jurel, standing up to the stumps to keep the batter in his crease. Just when it looked like he might register two hundreds in a series for the first time after bagging one at Headingley, he edged his first ball after lunch through to KL Rahul at first slip. A repeat of his error at Lord’s, when a patient first-innings 44 was given away with the first ball after tea.Washington Sundar picked up two quick wickets after being introduced late•Getty Images

Washington Sundar was the man with the breakthrough – the first of the day – and he followed it up four overs later with Harry Brook for 3. A hint of drift forced the right-hander into a defensive block that ended up on the wrong line. Jurel had the bails off in a flash and Brook was stumped for the first time in Test cricket.It was peculiar that India captain Shubman Gill had not turned to his offspinner earlier than the 69th over of the innings, which came 22 into the morning session. Washington’s 4 for 22 in the third Test had given them a short in the arm. The energy in the field upon his double strike here felt too little too late.Jolted but only trailing by nine, England did not look back. Stokes walked out to join Root and, five wickets already in his back pocket from India’s first innings, looked at ease before cramp set in.A relatively subdued half-century – just three boundaries, taking 97 deliveries, and his first since last November – took him to an exclusive club of his own. He is now one of three England captains to notch a five-for alongside at least a fifty in a Test.It was during the 108th over, reverse-sweeping Washington that Stokes started to feel discomfort in his left calf. Seven overs later, his running had become so laboured that England physiotherapist Ben Davies came out to investigate. Stokes would last just one more over before deciding to momentarily call it quits, limping off and up the stairs to the home dressing room, as Jamie Smith replaced him.Jasprit Bumrah took his first wicket of the Test in his 24th over•Getty Images

Naturally, there were fears of something serious, as Stokes’ previous issues of a dodgy left knee and two right hamstring tears came to the forefront of people’s minds. And the fact that his 129 overs so far are the most he has bowled in a single series.But shortly after 6pm, after Smith had become Jasprit Bumrah’s first wicket of the innings and 50th in England, and Chris Woakes had been bowled by one that kept low from Siraj, out walked Stokes. The ovation was akin to a hero’s return, joining Liam Dawson, who was batting in Tests for the first time since 2017. Stokes rests on 77, his highest score in ten innings.Both lasted through to stumps, even though Bumrah and Siraj tried to unsettle them late in the day with some short stuff. India’s premier quicks looked spent as they walked off, themselves struggling with injuries throughout the day.Bumrah only managed one over with the second new ball – taken in the 91st over – before leaving the field. Siraj then limped off before tea and showed his typical guts to return late in the day and take the last of the five wickets India managed in 89 overs. Bumrah had rolled his ankle going down the stairs while Siraj rolled his foot in one of the footholes, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel would reveal later.Saturday is set to bring more toil, and not even the forecasted rain will be long enough to spare them in a meaningful way. While this day will go down as one when Root ascended the second step of Test cricket’s podium, it was also the day this series was taken out of India’s control.

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