Table of Contents
Joe Root will be playing his 100th Test match and will become the 15th English player to achieve this feat.
Joe Root, since his debut in 2012, he has been the most prolific batsman for England. He batted alongside the likes of former captain Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, James Vince and Matt Prior.
Joe Root’s record before his 100th Test match reads; 99 matches, 181 innings, 8249 runs, 49.39 average, 19 centuries and 49 half-centuries. He is the 4th highest run-scorer for England.
He has the most 50+ scores before playing his 100th Test match, better than the likes of Sunil Gavaskar (66), Brian Lara (64), Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar (63).
Let’s take a look at top five Test innings of Joe Root.
1. 180 against Australia at Lord’s
The Ashes, 2013
Let’s go way back in 2013, where a young 23-year-old Yorkshire batsman scored a terrific century against Australia at the Home of Cricket, London. Already having a massive lead of 233, England found themselves at 30-3 and Joe Root, who was opening the innings at that time, scored what turned out to be a match-winning innings. It was his second Test century, and his first at Lord’s.
2. 254 against Pakistan at Manchester
Pakistan tour of England, 2016
England were 1-0 down in the four-match Test series against the touring Pakistan side. Wating to turns things in their favour, Joe Root played a masterclass innings at Manchester, where he scored his second Test double century. He ended up with 254 as England pumped up 589-8 (declared). After gaining the lead of 391, Joe Root scored a quick-firing 71 from 48 balls as England won the match by 330 runs.
3. 134 against Australia at Cardiff
The Ashes, 2015
The start of the 2015 Ashes series began in Cardiff. Australia had England limping at 3-43. That is where Joe Root, where he batted at fifth position, scored a magnificent 134 to take England to 430. Add another 60 in the second innings as England went on to win the Ashes opener by 169 runs.
4. 124 against Sri Lanka at Pallekele
England tour of Sri Lanka, 2018
The start of Sri Lanka dominance. They had won the first Test but the second Test was little out of their grasp. Trailing by 46 runs, England were struggling at 109-4. Joe Root scored a brilliant 124 runs that led England to 346. England won the Test match by 57 runs which resulted them a rare series win in Sri Lanka.
5. 110 against South Africa at Johannesburg
England tour of South Africa, 2016
This match is remembered for Stuart Broad’s 6-17 that rattled South Africa all out for 83 and Joe Root’s brilliance was overshadowed. England were struggling at 91-4 after which they bowled the hosts for313. Joe Root then proceed to play one fine innings of 110, which helped England take a 10 runs lead.
Read more: WTC: England’s scenario to final
Pingback: 5 batsmen who scored century on their 100th Test - CricFolks