Root Chases Outright Fifty Record as England Eye Clean Sweep in Series Decider

England begin the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston today, looking to complete a 3-0 clean sweep after dominant wins at Headingley and Lord's, while captain Joe Root chases a piece of history.

Root arrives at Edgbaston level with Sachin Tendulkar on 68 Test half-centuries, the all-time record, after reaching the landmark during his 66 at Headingley in the series opener. One more fifty at Edgbaston would take him to the outright record, extending a run of consistency that has seen him reach 50-plus scores in 42 innings as England captain, fifth on that particular all-time list behind Graeme Smith's 61.

Pakistan, already staring down a series defeat, have handed coaching responsibilities for the decider to white-ball coach Mike Hesson following sweeping mid-series changes that saw seven players dropped and five uncapped cricketers added to the squad after the heavy defeats in the first two Tests. The visitors will be desperate to avoid a whitewash on English soil as the series draws to a close.