Sachin Tendulkar's record of Test runs could be surpassed by Joe Root, says Ricky Ponting

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Joe Root could surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's tally of runs in Test cricket, provided the England stalwart remains 'hungry' and continues to score consistently over the next three to four years. Root recently became only the seventh batter in Test history to exceed the 12,000-run mark, a milestone he reached during the Edgbaston Test against the West Indies. With 12,027 runs in 143 Tests at an average of 50.11, including 32 centuries and 63 fifties, Root is currently the seventh highest run-scorer in Tests and is poised to overtake Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 runs) and his former teammate Alastair Cook (12,472 runs) in the near future.

Ponting, who ranks second behind Tendulkar with 13,378 runs from 168 Tests, told The ICC Review, "He (Root) could potentially do that. He is 33 years of age...(more than) 3000 runs behind."

"It depends on how many Test matches they play, but if they're playing 10 to 14 Test matches a year and if you're scoring 800 to 1,000 runs a year, then that sort of says he's only three or four years off getting there. So that'll take him to 37 (years of age)," the legendary Australian explained.

Ponting noted that Root will need to maintain his drive for runs, although the England batter has the advantage of age on his side to target the Test record.