Cook backs Root to break run barrier

Alastair Cook says "generational talent" Joe Root could become the first batter to reach 16,000 Test runs as the retired England captain was named in the ICC's Hall of Fame.

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Root, 33, overtook Cook's record England tally of 12,472 runs in the first Test of the ongoing series in Pakistan, in which the Yorkshireman scored a mammoth 262.

He is now fifth on the all-time list of run scorers behind Sachin Tendulkar, who leads the way with 15,921, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid, all of whom have retired.

"I think Joe Root could set a mark, certainly on the English side, which will be very hard to beat," said Cook, who retired from Test cricket in 2018 with a century in his final innings.