Can Joe Root go past Sachin Tendulkar's test tally? Ricky Ponting has his say

Ricky Ponting is the second highest run-getter in tests with 13378 runs.

Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting, who is the second highest run-scorer in test cricket, had his say on whether England batter Joe Root can go past Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of most runs in test cricket.

Currently, Root is England’s second-highest run scorer in test cricket. Ahead of him is legendary Alastair Cook, who amassed 12472 runs in 161 test matches.

Root is currently placed seventh in the list of batters with most runs in the longest format. The veteran batter has played 143 matches and amassed 12027 runs till now.

It is to be noted that among all active cricketers, Root has the most runs in test cricket and is slowly closing in on Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of most runs in tests. Tendulkar, with 15921 runs in 200 matches at an average of 53.78, is the highest run-scorer in test cricket.

He could potentially do that: Ricky Ponting on Root breaking Tendulkar’s tally of most runs in tests

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting, who has second most runs in tests, feels that Root might go past Tendulkar’s in tests. The former Australian captain added that if Root scores around 800 to 1000 runs per year, then he could breach Tendulkar’s tally.

“He could potentially do that. He is 33 years of age… 3000 runs behind. It depends how many Test matches they play, but if they’re playing 10 to 14 Test matches a year and if you’re scoring 800 to 1,000 runs a year, then that sort of says he’s only three or four years off getting there. So that’ll take him to 37,” Ponting told on ICC Review.

Needs to stay hungry for runs: Ricky Ponting

Ponting further added that Root needs to remain hungry for runs, and the plus for England batter has got the age on his side to aim for the record of most runs in test cricket.

“If his hunger’s still there, then there’s every chance that he could do it. He is someone that in the last couple of years has got better and better. There’s always talk around batters reaching their prime in their early 30s and he’s certainly done that. It’s been his conversion rates being the big thing,” Ponting said.

Ponting feels that the veteran England batter Root has now overcome of converting 50s into hundreds.

“Four or five years ago, he was making a lot of 50s and struggling to go on and make hundreds and he’s gone the other way recently,” Ponting said.

“Almost every time he gets to 50 now, he goes on and makes a big hundred. So that’s been the real turnaround for him,” he concluded.

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