Joe Root, England’s batting maestro, has etched his name into the annals of cricketing history during the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. His twin centuries in the match have not only secured a crucial victory for England but have also catapulted him to the top of several prestigious records.
Root’s first century of the match was his 34th in Test cricket, surpassing the legendary Alastair Cook to become England’s highest century-maker in the format. This remarkable feat places him among the cricketing greats, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, and Rahul Dravid in the overall list of Test century-makers.
But Root’s achievements didn’t end there. He joined an elite group of players who have scored centuries in both innings of a Test at Lord’s, a feat achieved by only a handful of cricketers including George Headley, Graham Gooch, and Michael Vaughan. This remarkable feat further solidified his reputation as one of the most accomplished batsmen of his generation.
Adding to his already impressive resume, Root now holds the record for the most runs scored in Test matches at Lord’s, amassing a staggering 2022 runs. This achievement surpassed Graham Gooch’s previous record of 2015 runs, placing Root fifth on the list of highest aggregates at a single venue in Test cricket.
Root’s dominance extended beyond Lord’s as well. His tally of Test runs at home stands at an impressive 6733, making him the leading run-getter in Tests played in England and Wales. This record further cemented his status as one of England’s most prolific batsmen of all time, eclipsing even the legendary Alastair Cook’s 6568 runs.
In a testament to his consistency across formats, Root also achieved his 50th international century, a landmark milestone reached by only nine players in the history of the game. This remarkable achievement included 34 centuries in Test cricket and 16 in One Day Internationals, making him the first England cricketer to achieve this distinction.
Adding to his collection of records, Root reached 200 catches in Test cricket during the Lord’s Test, a significant achievement for a batsman. He tied Jacques Kallis for the third most catches by a non-wicketkeeper, with only ten catches separating him from the leader, Rahul Dravid.
However, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Root’s performance at Lord’s was his second-innings century, which came off just 111 balls, marking his fastest-ever Test hundred. His previous quickest century had taken 116 balls against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in 2022.
Joe Root’s remarkable performance at Lord’s is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the game. His achievements not only showcase his extraordinary skills but also inspire fans and players around the world, solidifying his place among the greatest cricketers of the modern era.
