Joe Root breaks Alastair Cook's record for most test hundreds by an England batsman

Joe Root also became first batter to hit twin tons at the Lord’s since Michael Vaughan in 2004.

Right-hand batter Joe Root has firmly established himself as one of England‘s all-time greats by surpassing Sir Alastair Cook to become the player with the most test centuries in the nation’s cricketing history. In the ongoing second test against Sri Lanka, Root delivered two masterful centuries, bringing his tally to 34, and overtaking Cook’s record of 33 centuries, a milestone that has stood since 2018.

Root’s achievement came in a match where his contributions were pivotal for England. In the first innings, the Yorkshireman crafted a sublime 143, guiding his team to a strong total of 427. Root’s centuries in both the innings came at a crucial time, with England needing a solid foundation.

His partnership with Gus Atkinson was vital in the first innings, as they took the team from a potentially precarious position to a commanding score. With this knock, Root equaled Cook’s record, setting the stage for what was to come.

The second innings, however, was where Root truly displayed his mettle. With England’s top-order faltering under the pressure of a determined Sri Lankan bowling attack, Root once again rose to the occasion. He scored a brilliant 103 off 121 balls, a knock that was both gritty and elegant, showcasing his ability to perform under intense pressure. Despite England being bowled out for a modest 251, Root’s century was the standout performance, highlighting his class and consistency. 

Root becomes the fourth batsman to score two centuries in a test at Lords

Not only did he beat Sir Alastair Cook’’s record for most number of centuries, but also Root joined the elite list to become just the fourth batsman to score centuries in both the innings of the test match at iconic Lord’s stadium. 

Players with Two Hundreds in a Test at Lord’s

George Headley vs ENG, 1939

Graham Gooch vs IND, 1990

Michael Vaughan vs WI, 2004

Joe Root vs SL, 2024

At 33, Joe Root is edging closer to retirement, but in the coming years, he’ll undoubtedly aim to get his name as close as possible to Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 51 Test centuries.

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