After a day that exposed the wild unpredictability of Test match cricket came something to set your watch by: a Joe Root century.
England’s captain hit the 23rd century of his Test career, and the sixth of a year that grows more extraordinary by the game.
More pressingly, it meant England were able to consolidate the advantage their bowlers had given them in bowling India out for 78 a day earlier.
By stumps on day two, the hosts had amassed 423-8, giving them a lead of 345. With three days still remaining, they appear well set to avenge their defeat last time out at Lord's, and level the series at 1-1.
As soon as the umpires had called play, India looked shell-shocked following the shellacking they had taken on the opening day in Headingley.
England set about grinding them down with the sort of efficiency that has proved beyond them in Test cricket for years.
For once, it was not just Root who prospered. Sure, the captain was the star, as ever, but he was not the only one who was able to celebrate a milestone.
Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed, the new opening partnership, posted 135 for the first wicket, and signed for 61 and 68 respectively.
Next came Dawid Malan, returning after over four years in the Test-cricket wilderness to fill England’s problem No 3 position.
He has swapped counties in that time, and, batting at his new home ground, looked perfectly at ease on his comeback to the long format.
He made 70 from 128 balls before, to the last ball before tea, he was strangled down the leg side by Mohammed Siraj.
So innocuous was the dismissal, Rishabh Pant, the catcher, did not even appeal, and Virat Kohli, India’s captain, had to be coaxed into reverting the not out decision to video review.
Malan’s departure meant Root was able to celebrate reaching three figures with a born-and-bred Yorkshireman at the other end, rather than an adopted one.
When it came, with a crisp clip for four through mid-on, Root was met with a bear hug by his long-term county- and national-team colleague Jonny Bairstow.
The duo shared an alliance worth 52 before Bairstow became the second of three wickets for Mohammed Shami in the innings.
Root continued after his mate had left, before he was finally removed by Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah had been wicketless till that point, but arced a delivery back onto the stumps via the inside edge of Root's bat.
By that point, the home hero had taken his tally for the day to 128, and his one for the year to 1,398.
It leaves him within sight of Mohammed Yousuf's record for a calendar year in Test cricket of 1,788.
What would be of more meaning for him at present, though, will be the fact it leaves England within sight of a series-levelling win with three days of the Test match to play.
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 2-litre
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 255hp
Torque: 273Nm
Price: Dh240,000
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
