TEST MATCH BREAKFAST: Ben Stokes joins illustrious company with century and five-for in same Test, and England fans entertain themselves with darts star lookalike

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Test Match Breakfast takes a look at some of the biggest talking points and off-field stories surrounding cricket, with the spotlight firmly on England's blockbuster fourth Test against India at Old Trafford.

From record-breaking performances by Joe Root and Ben Stokes to the latest quirks in the crowd and controversy over missing legends, DAVID COVERDALE reports on the moments making headlines — and the ones you might have missed. 

STOKES' SUPER SATURDAY

If Friday was the day that Joe Root cemented his place among the all-time greats, on Saturday it was Ben Stokes' turn to do so.

When the England captain whacked Washington Sundar for a huge six, he passed 7,000 Test runs. That made him just the third player in Test history to score 7,000 runs and take 200 wickets, joining Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis on that illustrious list.

Stokes' first Test hundred in two years also made him just the fourth England player to score a century and take a five-for in the same Test, after Tony Greig, Ian Botham and Gus Atkinson.

Ben Stokes has scored a century and taken a five-for against India in this week's fourth Test

JOE'S MIND IS ROOTED TO JOB AT HAND

While the cricket world debates whether Root can go on to break Sachin Tendulkar's Test run-scoring record, the man himself insists it is not his 'focus'.

Root moved from fifth to second on the all-time list of top run-scorers when he made 150 on Friday. The England star is now only 2,512 runs behind Tendulkar's Test tally of 15,921. Yet he says he will not waste time thinking about surpassing the India legend.

'Those sort of things should look after themselves,' said Root on Saturday morning. 'It's not something that I will focus on. The focus has to be about winning games, setting them up if we're earlier on in the Test match, or if we need to chase something down, figuring out how to play that situation well.

'It might sound a little bit boring and methodical, but ultimately that's what I need to do to help England win and that's why we play the game.'

England batsman Joe Root is now only 2,512 Test runs behind India legend Sachin Tendulkar

BUMRAH'S UNWANTED RECORD

England racked up the records in making a massive 669 in their first innings on Saturday. It was the highest total by any team in Test matches at Old Trafford.

It was also England's fifth highest score of all time and their second-best against India. The only time England have scored more against India was when they plundered 710 at Edgbaston in 2011 – the match which saw them become the world's No 1 Test side.

There was also an unwanted record for the tourists' star seamer Jasprit Bumrah, who conceded more than 100 runs off his bowling for the first time in a Test innings.

Jasprit Bumrah conceded more than 100 runs off his bowling for the first time in a Test innings

PERFECT DAY FOR CRICKET AND RUGBY FANS 

British rugby and cricket fans can rarely have enjoyed a better few minutes than they did shortly before 1pm on Saturday.

Hugo Keenan scored the Lions' last-gasp series-clinching try against Australia at the MCG, just before Chris Woakes claimed his second wicket in two balls against India at Old Trafford.

While England's opening bowler could not complete his hat-trick, his first-over burst left India reeling at 0-2. The Lions series scoreline in Australia? 0-2.

'SPECIAL GUEST' AT OLD TRAFFORD

As England toiled away for more than 50 overs without a wicket against India, fans found their entertainment elsewhere.

A lookalike of Dutch darts star Michael van Gerwen caused much amusement among the revellers in Old Trafford's giant Party Stand.

The bald punter wore MVG's lime green shirt and was accompanied by two friends dressed as dart boards.

Chants of 'Oh, Michael van Gerwen' were heard throughout the day, often while the fake MvG was being urged to down a pint.

A Michael van Gerwen lookalike, dressed in a green polo shirt, was in the crowd on Saturday

LANCASHIRE LEGEND SNUBBED

A host of Lancashire legends have attended this Test match, including Sir Clive Lloyd, Farokh Engineer, Jack Simmons and Wasim Akram.

But one man who seemingly did not receive an invite was Graeme 'Foxy' Fowler, who starred for the county as a left-handed opener for 13 years.

The former England batsman complained on X: 'A lot of former Lancashire players at the Test match today. I guess my invitation got lost in the post.'

REBRAND FOR HUNDRED FRANCHISE

Get ready for a 'Super' derby in the Hundred.

It has emerged that Manchester Originals are to be renamed Manchester Super Giants from 2026. The name change comes after a 70 per cent stake in the Old Trafford-based Hundred franchise outfit was acquired by the RSPG Group, who own IPL outfit Lucknow Super Giants and South African side Durban Super Giants.

It means that the Hundred clash between the teams linked to Roses rivals Lancashire and Yorkshire will now see the Super Giants play the (Northern) Superchargers.

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