SMOKIN’ JOE

JOE ROOT has already established himself as England’s greatest-ever Test batter.

And now he will be looking to go one better.

Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 is firmly in the 33-year-old’s sights.

But will he be able to surpass it?

England icon Sir Alastair Cook certainly seems to think so. Root beat Cook’s total of 12,472 on day three of the First Test against Pakistan this week.

And the Sheffield-born batter has been tipped to set a new world record.

Cook said: “I can see Root overhauling Tendulkar’s record. When I retired, I thought there was every chance my record would be broken and that only the effects of captaincy could stop Joe.

“He’s been so lucky with injuries. You never know what’s around the corner but it has to be something like an injury to stop him.

“I don’t see Root losing that hunger or to keep driving himself forward.”

Currently, 3,448 runs stand between Root and Tendulkar’s record.

And with Test schedules being pared back, he could be the last player with a chance of breaking it.

Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid – the only players who have managed more runs – are all retired.

Meanwhile, Root sees himself staying on the cricket scene for a long time.

Ahead of this tour, he said: “I see myself playing Test cricket for a lot longer.

“It’s not like I’m going to get to a certain mark or a number and say, ‘Right, I’m done now.’

“I just want to keep enjoying the game, keep playing.”

If he manages to maintain his current form, Root could smash the record within the next three or four years.

When Root made his debut in Nagpur, India, in 2012, we knew he was technically sound with a calm temperament.

But none of us could have predicted how many runs would flow.

He has been remarkably consistent for the past 12 years, escaped serious injury and barely lost form even during the darkest days of his captaincy.

Most of all, perhaps, it is Root’s love of cricket that underpins his success.

He has never lost the joyous, child-like enjoyment of hitting a ball of leather with a plank of willow.

England batting coach Marcus Trescothick added: “The way he continues to strive for greatness is superb.

“He produces results at home and away, against spin and seam. He puts in hours of practice, tinkering with his hands, feet, head, grip. I don’t know when it will end. Not for a few more years, I’m sure.” – Sun