"Really quite special" - Joe Root on hugging his father at Lord's after surpassing England's record for most Test centuries
Talismanic England batter Joe Root admitted that it was a surreal feeling to be hugged by his father as he was on the way to the dressing room on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's. The 33-year-old also sees every opportunity as ones to win games for England.
With the Yorkshire player crossing the England record of 33 Test centuries, he and his father, Matt, shared a hug as Matt expressed immense pride. Joe Root is also now not too far behind Sir Alastair Cook from becoming England's leading run-scorer in Tests.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the day's play, Root said that he will look back at moments like these, the one shared with father, as among the best.
"It was a pretty cool feeling. ... I'm very proud and nice to share a moment with my dad walking off the field. That was really quite special. They are all things in a few years' time I might be able to look back and enjoy. At the minute, I still have a lot of cricket to play.
"It is always a new opportunity to get your team into a position to win the game. As a group, to be smart and get them to consistently five or six an over made us get to that position earlier."
The former Test captain top-scored for England in both innings at Lord's as the hosts set an improbable 483 to win for Sri Lanka. He also completed 200 catches in Test cricket on the third day.
"He makes it look so easy" - Nasser Hussain on Joe Root
Ex-England captain Nasser Hussain said that Joe Root surprises him by how he makes it look so easy to score in Tests. Hussain said tha words are not enough to praise Root:
"I've run out of words for that young man, to be honest. He's just an incredible person, an incredible player. He's breaking all records. The way he gets his runs, he is just absolutely phenomenal. It's not just about breaking records, it's about entertaining crowds and batting with real poise and grace, and that's what he's done throughout his career.
"We know how difficult it is to get Test-match runs, but this lad makes it look so easy. It's not that easy - but he makes it look so easy."
Sri Lanka finished the day on 53-2 as they hope to register the highest successful run-chase in Test history.