ROOT-ING FOR YA ‘Genius' Joe backed to beat Cook record

SIR ALASTAIR COOK does not expect to be England’s all-time leading test run-scorer for long.

- DEAN WILSON

After Joe Root completed his fifth double hundred for his country – helping them to 555-8 on day two against India in Chennai – former captain Cook called his successor “a genius”.

As red-hot Root made his way back to the pavilion after falling leg-before to shahbaz Nadeem with 218 to his name, another England legend had been chalked off.

Alec Stewart was the latest to be overtaken in terms of runs scored and only Graham Gooch and Cook lie ahead.