India v England; Third Test, Ranchi
England 302-7: Root 106*, Foakes 47; Deep 3-70
JOE Root made a masterful return to form with a superb century to give England the initiative on the first day of the fourth Test against India in Ranchi.
Root put his poor run of form behind him to finish the day unbeaten on 106, having featured in a 113-run sixth wicket partnership with Ben Foakes, pulling England out of a sticky situation, wobbling at 112-5.
Former England skipper Root was criticised for his batting approach in the last Test where he fell to a reckless shot when stability and caution was needed as England slumped to a thumping 434-run defeat.
But the Yorkshire batter returned to his best, with a classic Test match innings to ward off the threat of England being skittled on a pitch proving as sneaky as a bag of snakes on the first day.
India debutant Akash Deep accounted accounted for Zac Crawly, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, while skipper Ben Stokes was diddled by a Ravindra Jadeja delivery that did not get above ankle height.
Root showed the application and patience needed and when he completed his ton with a four off Deep, his hundred off 219 deliveries was the slowest by an England batter since captain Stoke and coach Brendan McCullum imposed a new philosophy on English cricket.
His knock put England in a strong position to level the series 2-2, although they will do so without leg spinner Rehan Ahmed has returned home because of a family matter.
