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Joe Root made history by surpassing Sir Alastair Cook to become the player with the most centuries in Test cricket for England on Saturday, August 31. He achieved this milestone on Day 3 of the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka. The 33-year-old, batting at No. 4 in England's second innings, scored another century to set a new record.
Earlier in the match, Root had equaled Cook’s record of 33 centuries in the first innings, scoring 143 off 206 balls with 18 boundaries. He continued his exceptional form with 103 runs in the second innings, helping England set a target of 483 runs for Sri Lanka.
The right-handed batter is only 96 runs away from becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer, a record currently held by Sir Alastair Cook with 12,472 runs. Achieving this milestone would also make him the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history.
Meanwhile, as Root became England’s leading centurion, fans took to X to share their reactions. Here are some of their reactions:
“Joe Root - The greatest ever from England.”
“One of the greatest test batsman in this generation, in this T20 cricket era he fighting for Test cricket reputation,” a fan wrote.
“No one deserves to be top of the England lists more. What a batter. Congratulations Joe,” wrote another.
“World cricket is lucky to have this diamond,” said another.
Root has appeared in 145 Tests, accumulating 12,377 runs at an average of 50.93, including 34 centuries.
“England’s greatest” - Sir Alastair Cook as Joe Root brought up his 34th Test century
Sir Alastair Cook was in the commentary box when Joe Root surpassed his record for the most Test centuries by an England player. Reacting to the moment Root achieved this milestone, Cook said:
"He is quite simply England's greatest. And it's absolutely right that he should have the record on his own. Take it in Joe, we are watching a genius."
Cook played 161 Tests for England, amassing 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, with 57 fifties and 33 centuries.
