ENGLAND -' CRICKET- PAYS'- TRIBUTE : PHENOMENAL ROOT

The England Skipper becomes first player ever to score double century in 100th Test.

CHENNAI : Joe Root's landmark double century for England against India in the opening Test made his teammates look ''rubbish''. Ben Stokes said in a tribute to his captain on Saturday.

The captain, who resumed on his overnight 128, hit a big six to become the first player to go past 200 in his 100th Test. He made 218 before departing in the final session in Chennai.

England rode on Root's masterclass to reach 550 for eight at close on day two. Dom Bess, on 28 and Jack Leach on six, were at the crease.

Root's remarkable feat - his fifth Test double ton - came after a quickfire 82 from the returning Stokes. The pair put on 124 for the fourth wicket.

''He makes us all feel pretty rubbish. How easy he makes batting look. I was quite surprised he ran down the wicket and hacked a six to bring up a double,'' Stokes told reporters.

''He is in phenomenal form. He dominates spin, incredible to watch. I don't think we have had an England batsman ever to play spin in the way that he does.

''He has got an answer and option for everything that is thrown at him, It's a delight to watch him at the moment.''

Root, who expertly kept India's spinners at bay in his 377 ball marathon, extended his gloden run that followed match-winning scores of 228 and 186 against Sri Lanka in Tests last month.

Left-hander Stokes, who along with Jofra Archer and Rory Burns returned to the squad for the four-Test series after missing Sri Lanka tour, hit his 23rd Test half century - with 10 fours and three sixes - before falling to Shabaz Nadeem's left arm spin.

''Nice to come back in with a bit of time off and spending some time in the middle,'' Stokes said of his attacking cameo.

''Batting first after putting ourselves in and being 500 or whatever, we are with two wickets remaining on to day three is a very strong position.''

Stokes, a right-arm paceman, said the team has no thoughts of declaring their innings and would like to bat for another hour Sunday morning. [AFP]