Joe Root Breaks Alastair Cook’s Record for Most Test Centuries by an England Batsman

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Joe Root surpassed Alastair Cook’s record for the most centuries in men’s Test cricket for England with his second century of the match against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on August 31.

Root achieved the milestone on day three of England’s second Test versus Sri Lanka, ending with 103 runs. The finish was nerve-racking, as England lost two wickets back-to-back.  

Trying to keep the strike with Olly Stone at the non-striker’s end, Root dashed for two runs off Asitha Fernando’s first delivery to reach 98 and overtake Graham Gooch as the leading run scorer in Tests at Lord’s.  

Most Test centuries for England:

• Joe Root – 34*
• Alastair Cook – 33
• Kevin Pietersen – 23
• Wally Hammond – 22
• Colin Cowdrey – 22

Root also became the first England player to notch up 50 centuries in international cricket, including 34 Test hundreds and 16 ODI tons, with the ODI total being a record for England. 

Most centuries for England across all formats:

• Joe Root – 50
• Alastair Cook – 38
• Kevin Pietersen – 32
• Graham Gooch – 28
• Andrew Strauss – 27

With 34 centuries, Root has equalled the achievements of a prestigious group of players: West Indies’ Brian Lara, Pakistan’s Younis Khan, India’s Sunil Gavaskar, and former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene. 

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