Follow UsJoe Root went past Rahul Dravid’s record of taking most catches as a fielder in Test cricket after he caught Karun Nair at slips in the second innings of the third Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s cricket ground.
Nair was batting quite well, having survived a fiery spell from Jofra Archer with the new ball almost single-handedly. He survived till the Tea break, and then played some dreamy drives on the odd side after the break. By then, he was on 40 in 62 deliveries, and the ball was also 20 overs old.
However, England skipper Ben Stokes pitched one on a good length, which moved just slightly away after coming in with the angle. Nair, who was defending slightly away from his body, outside edged it. The ball was flying between the keeper and the first slip, where Joe Root was stationed.
Root, who has proved his brilliance in the slips for a long time now, sensationally got down in no time and stretched himself fully, catching the ball in his left palm just millimetres off the ground. The umpires checked the catch with the TV umpire as well, who ruled it out after watching the replays.
It was Root’s 211th catch as a fielder, and Dravid has 210. Notably, Root has played eight fewer Test matches than Dravid at this stage (155). Mahela Jayawardene is third on the list with 205 catches in 149 Tests.
Most catches for a fielder in Tests
211* - Joe Root (ENG)
210 - Rahul Dravid (IND)
205 - Mahela Jayawardene (SL)
200 - Jacques Kallis (SA)
200 - Steve Smith (AUS)