• England's Joe Root has etched his name in the history books during the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.

  • Root smashed his 34th ton and become England's most prolific century-maker in the format.

ENG vs SL: Fans roar as Joe Root breaks Alastair Cook’s record with 34th century on Day 3 of Lord’s Test
Joe Root (Image Source: X)

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England‘s Joe Root has etched his name in the history books with a series of remarkable milestones during the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. Root made history at the iconic venue by scoring his second consecutive century in the match on Day 3, becoming the highest run-scorer at Lord’s in Test cricket. In surpassing the legendary Graham Gooch, who had amassed 2015 runs at the ground, Root needed just 97 runs to claim this prestigious record.

Joe Root’s 34th Test century: Nervous moments and final triumph

By lunch on day three, England was 159 for four, with a lead of 390 and Root on 48. After the interval, Root accelerated but faced a brief scare when he missed a shot on 79, followed by a risky chip that fell safely. As Gus Atkinson fell to a switch-hit hook shot, leaving England seven down, Root was left chasing the record with the team slipping to 227 for eight. Root, stranded on 98, carefully managed his innings, ultimately breaking the record with a cover drive. He celebrated with a fist pump, a fitting end to a record-breaking performance, despite a near miss on the next ball.

Joining an elite club and breaking multiple records

Root also became only the third cricketer ever to score centuries in both innings of a Test match at Lord’s. After his 143 in the first innings, Root added another century to his tally, joining an exclusive club that includes George Headley, Gooch and Michael Vaughan as the only players to achieve twin tons in a single Test at Lord’s.

This century was Root’s 34th in Test cricket, making him England’s most prolific century-maker in the format, surpassing Alastair Cook, who had 33 Test centuries. Additionally, Root broke Cook’s record for the most runs scored by an England player against Sri Lanka in Tests. Cook had scored 1290 runs in 16 matches, while Root now has nearly 1350 runs in just 12 games.

Also WATCH: England captain Ollie Pope hits a bulls eye to dismiss Lahiru Kumara on Day 2 of the 2nd Test

Leading England to dominance

In the first innings, Root rescued England from a precarious 216 for six with his 143, supported by Atkinson’s maiden Test century, putting England in a dominant position. In the second innings, with less pressure from the match situation, Root focused on surpassing Cook’s record. Although England were already ahead, Root faced the challenge of reaching his milestone before the impending declaration, as wickets began to tumble at the other end.

Here’s how Fans reacted:

Also READ: ENG vs SL: Netizens celebrate as Gus Atkinson hits his maiden ton at iconic Lord’s on Day 2 of the 2nd Test

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AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
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