ENG vs SL:  Joe Root Breaks Record For Most Test Centuries

It all started in Headingly back in 2013 when Joe Root scored his maiden century against New Zealand in Test cricket. Fast forward to eleven years later, Joe Root is now England’s leading century-maker in Test cricket. 

On an unforgettable Saturday afternoon at Lord’s, the 33-year-old reached his 34th Test hundred to overtake Alastair Cook’s record. Root also became the first batsman since Michael Vaughan in 2004 to register centuries in both innings at the Home of Cricket, backing up his first-innings 143 with another brilliant knock.

Joe Root’s 34 Test centuries for England

Root has become only the third-ever cricketer to hit centuries in both innings in a Test at Lord’s. He had hit 143 in the first innings when England posted 427/10. 

Root also equalled legendary Younis Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara and Mahela Jayawardene’s Test century tally and is now only behind five cricketers in the exclusive list. 

Most Test hundreds

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 51 in 329 innings
2. Jacques Kallis – 45 in 280 innings
3. Ricky Ponting – 41 in 287 innings
4. Kumar Sangakkara – 38 in 233 innings
5. Rahul Dravid – 36 in 286 innings
6. Joe Root – 34 in 265 innings
7. Younis Khan – 34 in 213 innings
8. Sunil Gavaskar – 34 in 214 innings
9. Brian Lara – 34 in 232 innings
10. Mahela Jayawardene – 34 in 252 innings 

Root took only 111 balls to reach a hundred, his fastest Test century, as England stretched their second innings lead past 480 in the second session. 

The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye