Joe Root etched his name in history books and created history during the second Test of the three-match series against Sri Lanka. Root slammed his 34th Test century during England's innings. He pipped Alastair Cook in the elite list of England batsmen with most Test centuries. Cook held the top spot in the elite list for six years. The former England captain scored a century in his debut game against India in 2006.
12 years later, he signed off from international cricket with another century against India. Root, who made his Test debut under Cook against India in 2012, had 32 Test centuries before the start of the second game. He scored a brilliant 143 in the first innings and followed up with another ton in the second innings.
Root is now followed by Cook, who scored 33 tons. Kevin Pietersen sits at the third spot. He hit 23 tons. Geoffrey Boycott (22), Ian Bell (22), Wally Hammond (22) and Colin Cowdrey (22) sit next on the list, respectively.
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Root also holds the record for scoring most Test tons at Lord's. He has breached the three-figure seven times at the Home of Cricket. He is followed by Graham Gooch (6) and Michael Vaughan (6). Root has also become the fourth England batsman to score centuries in both innings of a Test match at Lord's.
Courtesy of Root's century in the second innings, England put on a total of 251. Sri Lanka have been asked to chase a huge target of 483 to win the game and level the series. England won the first game by 5 wickets to gain a 1-0 lead and are favourites to seal the series at Lord's.
Apart from Root, Gus Atkinson has also shone for England. He holds a rare record for scoring a century and scalping a five-fer at the Lord's Cricket Ground.