Root, Anderson help England take lead

Nottingham, July 12 (IANS) Middle order batsman Joe Root and tailender James Anderson struck a record partnership for the last wicket to not only bail out England but to also take a first innings lead of 28 runs by lunch on the fourth day of the first Test against India at Trent Bridge here Saturday.

Resuming the day at 352/9, Root (143 not out) and Anderson (81 not out) put on another 133 runs in 34 overs in the morning session to take the hosts to 485/9 against India's first innings total of 457. The Indian bowlers, who appeared quite lethal Friday, were completely helpless and failed to scalp the last wicket.

In the process, the duo achieved the highest 10th-wicket partnership in Test cricket for 187 runs, surpassing the previous record held by Australia's Phillip Hughes and Ashton Agar, who together made 163 against England in July 2013 on the very same ground.

Root, who resumed at 78 not out, brought up his fourth century in Tests. The 23-year-old has hit 14 boundaries in his 278-ball knock. Root was given good support by Anderson, who also achieved a personal milestone by scoring his first ever half-century in his 95th Test.

With a possible century on the cards, Anderson's 81 not out is also the highest score by a No.11 England batsman.

This is also the first time that there have been two century partnerships for the 10th wicket in one match after Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami put on 111 runs during India's first innings Friday.