Joe Root Smashes 33rd Test Century: Statistical Breakdown As He Equals Alastair Cook's England Record

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London, Aug 29: England's cricketing maestro, Joe Root, delivered yet another masterclass in Test cricket as he notched up his 33rd Test century during the first innings of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Thursday (August 29).

This century, one of many milestones in his illustrious career, saw Root equal the legendary Alastair Cook's record for the most Test hundreds by an England player.

Joe Root - A Century of Milestones

Root's 33rd Test century was not just another hundred; it was a record-shattering performance that further cemented his legacy in the annals of cricket history. At 33 years old, Root continues to redefine consistency, compiling his 49th international century in the process.

This feat has propelled him past Indian captain Rohit Sharma on the list of most international hundreds among active cricketers, placing him just behind Virat Kohli, who leads the chart with 80 international centuries.

In the broader context of Test cricket, Root's century saw him surpass contemporaries like Steve Smith and Kane Williamson, both of whom have 32 Test hundreds. Root now boasts the most Test centuries among active cricketers and ranks 10th on the all-time list of Test centurions.

Joe Root's Numbers: A Statistical Marvel

• 33rd Test Hundred: Root's latest century ties him with Alastair Cook for the most Test centuries by an England player.
• 5th Century vs. Sri Lanka: This is Root's fifth Test century against Sri Lanka, underlining his dominance against the island nation.
• 6th Century at Lord's: Root has now equalled the records of Michael Vaughan and Graham Gooch for the most Test centuries at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.
• 3rd Century in 2024: Root has already scored three Test centuries in 2024, showcasing his relentless form.
• 22nd Century at No.4: This is Root's 22nd Test century while batting at the crucial No.4 position.
• 12th Century in First Innings: Root's ability to set the tone early in a match is highlighted by this being his 12th century in the first innings of a Test.
• 15th Century in the World Test Championship (WTC): Root's century tally in the WTC now stands at 15, underscoring his importance to England in the championship.
• 47th First-Class Century: His overall first-class century count has now reached 47, further proving his prowess across formats.

Root at Lord's: A Home Away from Home

Lord's has always been a special venue for Joe Root, and this latest century only enhances his legendary status at the ground. His 127* off 180 balls was a gritty and commanding performance, particularly as England found themselves losing wickets at the other end.

Root's innings allowed England to post a challenging total of 277/6 in just 70 overs on Day 1, keeping them in a strong position despite the pressure from the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Root's current form has led to speculation about whether he might one day surpass the great Sachin Tendulkar's record of 15,921 Test runs. While such comparisons are inevitable given Root's remarkable consistency, he remains focused on the task at hand-leading England to victories and accumulating runs in the process.

Joe Root In the Company of Legends

Joe Root now stands alone at the summit among active Test cricketers, with 33 centuries in 264 innings. He is followed by Kane Williamson and Steve Smith, both with 32 centuries and Virat Kohli with 29. Among active international cricketers, Root's 49 centuries place him second, only behind Kohli, and just ahead of Rohit Sharma.