‌ENG vs SL | Twitter lauds Joe Root’s greatness to equal Sir Alastair Cook by sitting atop in Test century charts

Arijit Kundu

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

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Greatness isn't achieved in a single day; it's the result of consistent hard work, dedication, and perseverance over time. The spectators at Lord’s witnessed it live as Joe Root equalled Sir Alastair Cook in most Test centuries tally on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Choosing to field first after winning the toss didn’t seem a bad decision for Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva when their new ball bowlers extracted a couple of wickets within the first hour of the morning session. However, Joe Root withstood the visitors' attack from one end with brief support from Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith before the lower middle order joined him after Tea. Although he reached the nineties thick and fast after the break, the milestone mark was halted briefly before Root ultimately notched up his 33rd ton.

With a single off a short ball pulled towards deep backward square leg, Root moved to 99 on the fourth ball of the 60th over. However, he faced twelve dots (including a maiden off Lahiru Kumara) to eventually break the shackle and get to the milestone mark on the third ball of the 63rd over. A back of a length ball outside the off from Lahiru was dabbed late through the gap between the slip cordon and the gully to ease the red cherry towards the boundary boards. As soon as he saw the ball thread the gap, Root knew he got to his 33rd century, joining an elite list with Sir Alastair Cook to sit atop in the list of most Test tons by an English player. 

The elegant batter looked up at the sky by pointing one arm high with the Mecca of Cricket going berserk with chants of “Root”. With 33 centuries in the format, the Yorkshire lad also surpassed Steve Smith and Kane Williamson to lead the Fab four with 33 centuries, leaving the Twitterverse abuzz.

Take a bow to this man!

What a champ!

Root at his best!

He does it so easily!

Greatest!

Joe Root for you!

Ye she has! 

What?

Great batter ever for England!

Hahaha!

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