Dawid Malan has saluted Joe Root as “phenomenal” after the England captain continued his dream summer with his latest imperious Test century in frot of his home Yorkshire crowd.
Root’s 121 in front of a rapt Headingley faithful on Thursday was his sixth ton in 11 appearances since the turn of the year, equalling a national record previously shared by Denis Compton and Michael Vaughan.
With an aggregate of 1,398 in that time, and an average of 69.90, the 30-year-old is entering a batting stratosphere that few ever get to experience.
He has scored three tons in a row in the current series but while his previous efforts at Trent Bridge and Lord’s have led to a draw and a defeat, only a cricketing miracle should prevent his latest coming in a winning cause with England, at 8-423, 345 ahead of India, who were bundled out for 78.
Malan, who made a classy 70 on his return to the side and kept Root company in a fine stand of 139, was happy to rank him among the game’s elite band of batsmen.
“He is phenomenal isn’t he? He just scores runs all the time,” he said.
“You look at all the best players that have played – all the greats, if you want to put it that way – and as soon as you miss your line and your length, they hurt you. Joe is one of those.
“It’s great to watch and it’s great to have the best seat in the house when he does play as well as that. It’s the ease of what he does and the speed at which he does it.
“He just moves his feet so well and his position when he hits the ball is so good…he hits the ball so much later than most people. He always looks to score with intent, you know if you bowl a bad ball he just puts you away.”
Ian
Roar Rookie
When was the last time Steve Smith played a Test Match innings? It's a classic case of out of sight out of mind.Australia's Test against poor old Afghanistan is 1000-1 to go ahead.Judging by media reports here this morning,at least 10 English players have serious reservations about touring Australia in a few months.Will my friends in Australia accept a 2nd/3rd English team touring over their because that's the way,sadly,it's looking unless attitudes and situations change in the next couple of months.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I would probably agree Bobbo7. Smith was mediocre for the first couple of tests against India after basically coming straight in from IPL without any Shield practice before getting back into it. So not surprised Williamson is averaging more.
Bobbo7
Guest
Now (which is what we are talking about) Williamson is better than Smith. Williamson has averaged 73 since 2019 v about 55 for Smith. Also a superior limited overs player. The rankings don't lie.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I said at the moment. Root is in a rich vein of form. Williamson second. Smith 3rd
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Two things ... firstly, how does he compare with other English batting 'greats' from the dawn of test cricket, and secondly, how is he head and shoulders above Smith, when he has simply done for a period of six or seven months what Smith did for six or seven years?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Averages more than Root ... yeah that's a clincher :laughing: Steve Smith is out of favour apparently ...
Jeff
Roar Rookie
His international career has been characterised by not converting 50s into 100s. That has sure changed this year. And he is contributing to the team score far higher than the best of averages would typically suggest should be the case. He's on song right now. Whether that makes him "a great" for historical purposes is a discussion best had in retrospect, but right now he his head, head, shoulders and shoulders, above his contemporaries.
Bobbo7
Guest
Williamson is the best. Top run scorer in WTC final under massive pressure, top ranked and averages more than Root. That said, Root is a great player.
Ian
Roar Rookie
The upcoming Ashes series really will define Joe Root's legacy.He really needs to step up and score 500 runs with at least one century,probably two if he's to be considered a true batting great.His batting in this current series is some of the best I've seen.3 Tests,3 Hundreds,all of them under a fair bit of pressure.When you compare him to his opposition captain,his performances stand out even more.Here's hoping he can continue his form.I think we all want a thrilling Ashes Series.We all deserve it after the nonsense of the past 18 months.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I think he's 31 in December so while he may well be on tour out here in four years time, by then he will be in decline so this is almost certainly his last chance to make an impact in an away Ashes series.
Paul
Roar Guru
Again though, is this a conversation we should be having about a bloke who just turned 30 and, in theory, has at least 5 years of Test cricket ahead of him? I reckon it's way too early to passing judgement.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yeah, probably the only reason Darren Gough isn't classed as a great is because he never spear headed an Ashes victory. The fact that he played in Australia's strongest ever era, and England were relatively weak at the same time, doesn't get him any leniency
Tempo
Roar Rookie
I'll settle for 50s every game and a couple of baby hundreds!
Nudge
Roar Rookie
I did mean to say Australian or English cricketer and average 40 in the ashes through his career
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Even that flatters Root. He hasn't played a solitary innings of any genuine impact in ten tests here and as his team's recognised best batsman, that is a major reason why England were thrashed. Even his highest score here of 83 was made in a dead rubber when his team trailed 0-3 in the series.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
To be fair to Nudge he does average 38 in Australia and no hundreds yet down under. If he can have a big Ashes series I think he deserves to start to have the 'great' conversations.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Root averages 50, but a batsman is not defined by his average. While a fair portion of his tons have been made in very low to no intensity situations, some have actually been scored when going in under pressure with his side in trouble. I think most have also been in wins, and also mostly in games when the series has been alive, though I have only looked at a small random sample.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Yeah don’t think you can be an English or Australian cricketer and average 40 odd and go down as a great. He has time on his side to change that though but I don’t think he will
Oliver
Roar Rookie
Honestly, I think he's probably our biggest threat and I cant wait to see him play well here
Paul
Roar Guru
"A Test great"? There's no doubt Root is in career bet form and would have to be the best bat in Test cricket right now. Id a Test great or do we need to wait till he finishes his career to make that call?