• England's premier batter, Joe Root, has achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 19th century in One-Day International cricket.

  • The veteran's innings came in the third and final ODI against South Africa at The Rose Bowl.

ENG vs SA: Fans erupt as Joe Root lights up The Rose Bowl with a blistering century in the 3rd ODI
Joe Root (Image Source: X)

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A new wave of records has been set at The Rose Bowl as England‘s premier batter, Joe Root, has achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 19th century in One-Day International cricket. The veteran’s innings came in the third and final ODI against South Africa, a match where England was seeking a consolation win. Root’s century was a masterclass in classic batting, perfectly complementing the aggressive knock of his young partner, Jacob Bethell. This hundred not only propelled England to a massive total but also allowed Root to achieve several remarkable personal feats, further cementing his legacy as one of England’s greatest ever batsmen.

A typical Joe Root knock and career milestones

Coming to the crease after openers Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith had provided a solid foundation, Root assumed his familiar role of anchoring the innings. With the hosts at 117/2, he found an ideal partner in the in-form Bethell. The duo’s partnership was a study in contrasts that worked to perfection, as they added a massive 182-run stand. While Bethell was the aggressor, reaching his maiden ODI century off just 76 balls, Root meticulously rotated the strike, working the ball into gaps and ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. He reached his own century off 95 balls with a typical blend of graceful timing and precise placement. This century is Root’s 19th in ODIs, a tally that is the most for any England batter by a significant margin, with no other player having even 15 tons. This knock also brought his total number of centuries across all formats for England to 58, placing him well ahead of the likes of Alastair Cook, who has 38.

Also READ: ENG vs SA: Fans go wild as Jacob Bethell shines with record-breaking maiden international hundred in the 3rd ODI

Records broken and a home dominance by Root

With his latest century at The Rose Bowl, Root has further cemented his dominance in home conditions. The knock marked his 10th ODI century on home soil, making him the outright leader for England in this category, surpassing former batter Marcus Trescothick, who has eight. This feat also places Root in an elite international club as he becomes only the 12th player in the history of ODI cricket to register 10 or more centuries in home matches. Root’s ability to consistently perform in front of his home crowd has been a key component of England’s success in white-ball cricket over the years. His impressive 19 ODI centuries and 39 Test centuries are a testament to his versatility and enduring quality as a batsman. He has truly become England’s most prolific run-scorer in both the Test and ODI formats, with this latest innings serving as another reminder of his immense class and invaluable contribution to English cricket.

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Also READ: ENG vs SA, 3rd ODI: Here’s why Saqib Mahmood is not playing today’s match

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