Record-breaker Joe Root shone brightly on Saturday as he smashed 103 runs against Sri Lanka to complete his 34th Test century and overtake Sir Alastair Cook as England’s greatest centurion of all time.
He also joined an exclusive group of players – including George Headley, Graham Gooch and Michael Vaughan – who scored two centuries at Lord’s.
Root’s ton gave England a 430-run lead in their second Test match against Sri Lanka, but the match was called off on day three due to poor light.
Sri Lanka, currently resting on a 53-2 lead, will resume their chase tomorrow morning in London with Dimuth Karunaratne and Prabath Jayasuriya back in action.
Mail Sport columnist DAVID ‘BUMBLE’ LLOYD takes you through some of the stories you may have missed on day three at Lord’s.
Joe Root hit his second hundred of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday
He made a score of 103 before being dismissed to claim his 34th Test hundred
Root can surpass Tendulkar’s tally
That was a sublime, effortless hundred from Root. He’s one of those players where you look at the scoreboard and wonder how he got to 40.
His hitting, footwork and head position are all in sync: it’s no coincidence that he scores points.
Considering the amount of Test cricket England play and the skills he possesses, there is a good chance he will surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s world record of 15,921 runs.
Root produced a sublime and effortless hundred and it is no coincidence that he scores runs
Considering the amount of Test cricket England play and the skills he has, there is a good chance he will surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s world record of 15,921 runs
Pope must stop trying to reinvent the wheel
Ollie Pope is such a polished player, but he tries to be something he is not. His dismissal in England’s second innings was another example of him trying to reinvent the wheel.
Just do what Joe Root does, Ollie! Keep the board moving, pretend to be busy, pick out the ones and the twos. Take stock of what you’re good at and stop being so frantic.
Ollie Pope is a decent player but he’s trying to be something he’s not AND he needs to take a cue from Root
There is a lot of talent present
I must admit I’ve never really seen Pope as a No.3, but this England team likes a risk, don’t they? I wonder though if they’ll look at him and say an average of 34 from 48 Tests isn’t good enough.
Imagine what James Vince could have done in 48 tests. I also like Oliver Price at Gloucestershire and James Rew at Somerset. There is a lot of talent there.
Southern Brave’s James Vince could be another player England could look at in the future
Fisher shines for Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC
Vipers and I were at Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC, in our capacity as sponsors of the ground, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the donation of his ground to the club by a local farmer.
Sheriff Hutton’s opening bowler is Matt Fisher from Yorkshire and England so the standard is high and there was a lot going on in the local derby against Easingwold including a player being off the field with a migraine. I turned down the opportunity to come on.
Sheriff Hutton’s opening bowler is Matt Fisher from Yorkshire and England, so the standard at the club is high
10,000 runs for Teenage Cancer Trust
Congratulations to the group who arrived at Lord’s yesterday after running the 140 miles from Norfolk to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The run was in honor of George Rudd, who died in 2021 from a rare blood cancer and would have turned 50 this year. If you’10,000 runs for Teenage Cancer Trust‘ on Just Giving, it’s never too late to contribute.
Visit the Teenage Cancer Trust’s 10,000 Runs for Just Giving page here.
Dan Lawrence came in as a stand-in opener, but it just didn’t work out for him
England could consider recalling Surrey batsman Rory Burns (pictured) or Keaton Jennings
Should England stick with Lawrence?
If England win the match on Sunday, they can start thinking about their team for The Oval.
Dan Lawrence has appeared as a substitute on the program, but it has not worked out for him yet.
I would give him one more chance and I hope he gets a hundred, but England also know that Keaton Jennings is a much better player than when he last won a Test cap. And Rory Burns too. Food for thought.