Wednesday 12 September 2018 12:01, UK
James Anderson and Alastair Cook helping England wrap up a 4-1 series win against India was "fairy-tale stuff", says Joe Root.
Anderson capped a match of high-profile milestones by overtaking Australia legend Glenn McGrath when he took the final wicket of the fifth Test to become the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket.
His achievement followed Cook's emotional sign-off with a century in his last Test innings the previous day at The Oval.
Root admitted he did not fancy his prospects of suggesting someone else bowl instead from the Vauxhall End.
"I think it would have been 'good luck...', trying to get the ball from him," said the England captain.
"Especially once that new ball came out, he had that bit between his teeth. He didn't look tired, he looked very determined - and when he's in that mood, you want to just keep him going as long as possible."
Root hopes to do that into the future too.
He added: "What Jimmy has achieved, and what he's capable of achieving still, is astounding really.
"For him to be in the same league as McGrath, and now chasing the big spinners, is phenomenal. I think the most exciting thing is he's bowling at his best. And I can see that carrying forward for a long time still.
"I hope there's going to be a number of series in the future where he is leading the attack and terrorising batters."
As for Cook and Anderson's twin achievements, Root added: "I said it was written in the stars at the start of the week maybe - and for it to turn out how it has is fairy-tale stuff, isn't it?
"For Alastair to go out like that, and Jimmy to finish the game off in real style was so fitting for those two guys - who are really close mates.
"They're going to miss playing with each other. When you saw Alastair's hundred, you could see the guys on the balcony what it meant to them."
Root had the best view of all, as Cook's third-wicket partner as he too made a second-innings century.
"You saw his kids on the screen clapping, and he nearly started tearing up," Root said.
"To be out there and see that up and close, I will savour that forever."
