Joe Root Shines Again at Lord's with 37th Test Century

Joe Root's Stellar Performance at Lord's

The enduring connection between Joe Root and Lord's, famously known as the Home of Cricket, was evident once more as the England star batter achieved a remarkable century against Team India during the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on July 11.

At 34 years old, Root was on the brink of his 37th Test century, finishing Day 1 with an impressive score of 99 not out as England concluded the day at 251/4 after 83 overs. He formed a crucial, unbeaten partnership of 79 runs for the fifth wicket with captain Ben Stokes, who contributed a steady 39 runs off 102 balls, helping to stabilize the innings after the loss of two quick wickets.

Throughout his innings, Root displayed exceptional control, combining graceful drives with solid footwork. He opted for a measured approach rather than seeking quick runs, demonstrating his characteristic composure and maturity to anchor the innings.

Anticipation Builds for Root's Century

As the iconic venue's crowd eagerly awaited Root's century, there was a palpable sense of excitement when he returned to the crease alongside Stokes to resume England's first innings on Day 2.

Root quickly settled in, and it didn't take long for him to reach the milestone. Facing Jasprit Bumrah in the first over of the day, a thick edge off his bat flew past the gully for a boundary, marking his century.

The England dressing room and the crowd erupted in applause as Root celebrated by leaping into the air, kissing the Three Lions badge on his helmet, and acknowledging the roaring cheers from the stands.

Root's Legacy at Lord's

With this achievement, Joe Root secured his eighth century at Lord's, further solidifying his legacy at this historic venue. After reaching his century, Root aimed to extend his innings but was dismissed by Bumrah for the 11th time in Test cricket, scoring a stylish 104 runs off 199 balls, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

Lord's has become more than just a cricket ground for Root; it has transformed into a personal fortress where he has consistently showcased his talent. He made his Test debut at Lord's against New Zealand in 2013, scoring 40 runs in his first innings.

Since then, Root has amassed runs at Lord's with remarkable elegance and consistency, including notable innings such as 180 against Australia in 2013, 200* against Sri Lanka in 2014, and 190 against South Africa in 2017.

Breaking Records at Lord's

Root's record at Lord's extends beyond Test matches; he has accumulated 2126 runs in Tests, including 8 centuries and 7 fifties, at an impressive average of 55.94 over 23 matches. Overall, he has scored 2531 runs across all formats at Lord's, including nine centuries.

During his innings of 104, Root surpassed Graham Gooch's previous record of 2513 runs, becoming the leading run-scorer at Lord's across all formats. His Test performances at this venue have truly defined him as one of England's greats, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.

Notably, Root has now scored centuries in three consecutive innings at Lord's, joining the ranks of Jack Hobbs and Michael Vaughan as the only players to achieve this remarkable feat.

Root Surpasses Dravid's Century Record

With his 37th Test century, Joe Root has now surpassed former Indian captain Rahul Dravid's tally of 36 centuries. He currently ranks fifth in the all-time list of Test centuries, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), Ricky Ponting (41), and Kumar Sangakkara (38).

In addition, Root's innings of 104 allowed him to surpass 3000 Test runs against India, the highest by any player in this format. He has accumulated 3059 runs against India, including 11 centuries and 12 fifties, at an average of 57.71.

Root's ninth century at Lord's across all formats is the highest by any player, further establishing the venue as his most cherished ground in international cricket. He is also just 71 runs away from surpassing Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid to move into third place on the all-time leading run-scorers list in Test cricket.