4 batters to have scored hundreds in both innings of a Test at Lord's ft. Joe Root

Riding on sensational twin centuries from Joe Root, England finished Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka on a commanding note. Root scored his fastest Test century in the second innings of the Lord’s Test to put England in a strong position to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Arguably the greatest modern-day Test batter, Joe Root went on to break Alastair Cook’s record of most Test centuries for England after reaching the landmark in the second innings. It was batting of the highest caliber in both innings which was instrumental in putting England in a position where they can call the shots.

The hosts looked in a bit of strife in the first innings when a sturdy-looking Gus Atkinson changed the complexion of the game and went on to score his maiden first-class century. Sri Lanka were then blown away by a top-class bowling effort from England as they could only muster 196.

However, with how things went in the second innings of the Manchester Test, it wouldn't have been a sensible option from England to enforce the follow-on. A solid batting effort from the hosts meant that Sri Lanka were tasked with chasing a mammoth 483 in their second innings.

Coming to Root’s twin centuries, he became just the fourth batter in the history of Test cricket to score twin centuries at Lord’s. We take a look at all four batters to have scored two centuries in a Test at the famous ground:

#4 George Headley - 106 and 107 for West Indies vs England, 1939

Often dubbed as the ‘Black Bradman’, George Headley was one of the earliest players from Caribbean shores to make a mark at the international level. Headley became the first-ever batter in the history of Test cricket to score twin centuries in a Lord’s Test. Despite his astonishing efforts, it was the hosts England who won the Test by eight wickets.

Bill Copson took a fifer in the first innings of the Test as the Windies were skittled out for just 277. Headley scored a magnificent 106 which included 13 fours and did everything possible to help the West Indies post a competitive score.

Leonard Hutton then batted superbly to score 196 which gave England a massive 127-run lead when they declared their innings. In a bid to save the Test match, Headley stayed resolute and went on to score his second century of the match. His knock of 107 wasn't enough to save West Indies as England went to chase the target down with eight wickets in hand.

#3 Graham Gooch - 333 and 123 for England vs India, 1990

India were at the receiving end of one of the greatest knocks in Test cricket when England captain Graham Gooch went on to score a triple century in the first innings of the first at Lord’s in 1990. Gooch, who is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to have emerged from England, made batting look ridiculously easy in his heyday.

The decision to field from the Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin backfired as England posted a gigantic 673 in their first innings. Gooch was at his ominous best and scored runs all around the wicket. His knock of 333 was studded with 43 fours and three sixes. Courtesy brilliant centuries from Ravi Shastri and Azharuddin, India posted 454 in their first innings.

England didn't enforce the follow-on but put the pressure on India in the second innings. Gooch scored a quickfire 113-ball 123 in the second innings to provide the impetus and the target proved to be way too much for India in the end. Angus Fraser was the pick of the bowlers for England in the second innings as they registered a massive 247-run win.

#2 Michael Vaughan - 103 and 101* for England vs West Indies, 2004

Back in 2004, former England captain Michael Vaughan went on to score twin centuries in the Lord's Test against the West Indies. But despite his stupendous efforts, it was Ashley Giles who bagged the Player of the Match award due to his exceptional showing on a pitch which had hardly anything on offer for the bowlers.

After bathing first, England posted a massive score of 568, orchestrated by a brilliant double century from Robert Key. He shared a 291-run stand with Andrew Strauss to put England in a commanding position. Vaughan was the one who provided the finishing touches, scoring 103 off 154 deliveries.

West Indies responded well by scoring 416 on the back of a splendid century from Shivnarine Chanderpaul. England got a significant lead of 152 which allowed them to push for the win when they batted in the second innings. Vaughan again scored a terrific ton which eventually paved the way for a 210-run victory. Giles picked up a fifer to bowl England to a famous win.

#1 Joe Root - 143 and 103 for England vs Sri Lanka, 2024

Back in 2020, Joe Root was a fair way behind in the century tally in Tests compared with the three other modern greats Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson. Root had only scored 17 Test centuries at that stage.

Come 2024 and Root is at the top of the centuries list in Tests among the Fab Four. Root was regarded as someone who wasn't good at converting his starts into centuries. However, in the last four years, he has doubled his century tally with an astonishing conversion rate.

In the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka, Root was at his ominous best in the first innings. As wickets kept falling around him, the 33-year-old batted sensibly while also finding the boundary regularly. His knock of 143 included 18 fours and it was an attempted reverse scoop which eventually brought about his downfall.

Root went on to score his fastest Test century in the second innings. England needed to score briskly as they had a massive lead of 231 runs. Despite not taking wild risks, Root brought up his century in good time and eventually departed in an attempt to find the boundary. England were bowled out for 251 and find themselves in a commanding poisition heading into Day 4.