Joe Root further cements his status as England’s greatest batter with a record-breaking 34th Test century in the march towards victory over Sri Lanka at Lord’s.
Joe Root further cemented his status as England’s greatest batter with a record-breaking 34th Test century in the march towards victory over Sri Lanka at Lord’s.
In dark and difficult conditions in the evening session, Gus Atkinson accounted for Nishan Madushka and Olly Stone had Pathum Nissanka, both caught by Root at first slip, taking him to 200 Test catches. When England resumed on 25-1, 256 ahead, the most pressing issue surrounding their batters was the opportunity for Ollie Pope to make his first significant score as a stand-in captain. He looked to have come through some early jitters, only to fall for 17, cutting the first delivery of Asitha Fernando’s short-ball plan to deep point.
At that moment it felt as if there would not be enough time left for England to force victory, and the Sri Lanka batting and bad light proved as much. It mattered not. This day belonged to Root.England’s strong position and desire to push the game on led to a number of cameos and wickets as a result of attacking shots. Pope, Ben Duckett for 24, Harry Brook for 37 and Jamie Smith for 26 all fell into that category.
Eventually, when he carved Fernando into the vacant off side, Root leapt for joy. He was dropped off the next ball, then hooked Lahiru Kumara to deep square leg and departed to another standing ovation.
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