[Watch] Joe Root goes past Sir Alastair Cook's century tally, hits his 34th ton on Day 3 of ENG vs SL 2024 2nd Test
England's ace batter Joe Root has now become the leading century-getter for their nation in red-ball cricket as he got to his 34th on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's Cricket Ground. The right-handed batter reached his second ton of the match with a boundary and it proved to be his quickest too, coming off 111 balls.
The incident occurred in the 53rd over of the innings when the Yorkshire batter was batting on 98 and nearly edged it to the keeper on the first delivery. However, the 33-year-old played a pristine cut shot through the covers. With the former captain's 33rd ton equalling Sir Alastair Cook's England record, the 34th went past him.
The veteran's triple-figure is also his seventh at Lord's in Tests. The ex-captain was eventually dismissed by Lahiru Kumara as he hoicked one to the square leg fielder for 103.
Sri Lanka need 483 to win as Joe Root top scores for England again
The tourists have been set a world-record 483 to gun down as they hope to travel to The Oval with a series scoreline of 1-1. Despite a credible performance by a vastly inexperienced team, Sri Lanka lost the opening Test at Old Trafford in Manchester by five wickets. The Island nation have also been behind in the ongoing Test for the most part.
The visitors had England 216/6 at one stage on the opening day at Lord's, but couldn't capitalize on it. While Root struck a determined 143, Gus Atkinson was more on the aggressive side on his way to 118 as the Englishmen ended up with a first-innings total of 427.
They were equally clinical with the ball, eking out a 231-run lead. England have had the perfect summer so far, defeating the West Indies 3-0 before facing Sri Lanka.
As of writing, Sri Lanka are 19-1 and are likely to fall to a series defeat at Lord's.