Joe Root and hundreds go hand in hand these days. On Sunday, the former England captain cruised to yet another century – his 27th in Test cricket. Joe Root's ton came on the third day of England's second Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Joe Root has been in a rich vein of form in the last 18 months, and he continued his extraordinary run on a batting-friendly wicket in Nottinghamshire, remaining 163 not out at the close of play. In response to New Zealand's huge first innings score of 553, England are now 473/5 with Ollie Pope being the other hero for the Three Lions, having made his second hundred (145 off 239 balls) in the longest format, which was also his first on home soil. However, it was Joe Root who stole the limelight as the 31-year-old equalled India icon Virat Kohli and former Australia captain Steve Smith's haul of hundreds in Test cricket. All three cricketers now have 27 tons to their name.
A special, special cricketer.
Scorecard & Videos: https://t.co/GJPwJC59J7
🏴 #ENGvNZ 🇳🇿 | @IGcom pic.twitter.com/JmCS57p5hh
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 12, 2022
Remarkably, Root has scored 10 hundreds since January 2021 while Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have none in the said period. No other active cricketer has more centuries than the famous trio.
While Virat Kohli hasn't reached the three-figure mark since November 2019, Steve Smith has not made a century since January 2021.
Joe Root stepped down as England captain before the series and seems to be enjoying his newfound freedom as he unleashed his full repertoire of shots, coasting to his ton in just 116 deliveries, the fastest of his career.
Notably, Joe Root had played a match-defining knock of 115 not out in the first Test at Lord's, leading England to a five-wicket triumph over the Kiwis.
Once again Joe Root's heroics at Trent Bridge excited cricket fans and sports stars from around the world, who hailed him for his 27th hundred with former England captain Michael Vaughan leading the plaudits.
We have witnessed Batting poetry today .. That Joe Root innings was as good as it gets .. early days for this Test team but i have to say I am rather enjoying it .. #ENGvNZ
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 12, 2022
“We have witnessed Batting poetry today. That Joe Root innings was as good as it gets .. early days for this Test team but I have to say I am rather enjoying it,” Vaughan said on Twitter.
On the other hand, British broadcaster Piers Morgan wanted to sexually identify himself as “Joe Root's cover drive”.
“I’d like to sexually identify as Joe Root’s cover drive,” Morgan tweeted.
Praise also came from another spectrum of sports for Joe Root as Premier League legend Gary Linekar dubbed him the “great man”.
“Another Sunday, another hundred for the brilliant Joe Root. Rootine stuff for the great man,” Linekar wrote on the micro-blogging platform.
“27th Test match hundred for England's finest Joe Root. His fourth hundred in five Test matches. He is the unstoppable run machine,” former England captain Nasser Hussain said in the commentary box.
The cricketer's admirers were not to be left behind.
“There was a time, about 2/3 years ago, when it felt like Joe Root's career was going to be statistically very strong but always feel a touch unfulfilled, potential never reached. For me, that jeopardy has been what's made the last 18 months so class. Greatness almost evaded us,” a fan remarked.
Another commented: “Joe Root with his 27th Test hundred, he's the unstoppable man right now in world cricket. Just been at different level, centuries after century. What a player, take a bow, Root!”
“Forget the Fab 4, Joe Root is in a class of his own at the moment at the top of test cricket. Nobody comes close to him right now. This is Joseph Edward Root’s world, the rest of us are just living in it,” a third added.
“What a player Joe Root. Scores them quick and scores them big. It is just amazing to see a batter in such form. Smith 2014-2017, Kohli 2016-2018 was very similar,” a fourth claimed.
“Joe Root. 27th century. Is equal on centuries with Virat and Steve Smith. What’s he up to! He is sprinting ahead of everyone,” a fifth declared.
“From 2019 to 2021, Joe Root went 13 home Tests without a hundred. Since breaking the run, he’s got five centuries in his last six home Tests. Now has 27 overall in Tests, 10 of them since the start of 2021,” a sixth stated.
“Another day, another 100 for Joe Root. This man is simply incredible. As disappointed as I am with the bowling display, I can only admire Root’s innings yet again. His 10th Test 100 since Jan 2021: a conversion rate of 71.43% among 50+ scores (improvement from 18.18% in 2018-20),” a seventh mentioned.
“Eat, Sleep, Score a Century in Test Matches, Repeat. That's the Daily Routine Story of Joe Root as he brings up his 27th Test Match hundred. England at Stumps on Day 3 are 473/5 and Trail by 80 Runs,” an eighth said.
“Joe Root's 18 months since January 1, 2021 is frankly ridiculous: 2,355 test runs, 10 centuries (including 2 doubles), 6 fifties, an average of 60.4 and a 22-place climb in the all-time test rankings – moving from 7,823 to 10,178. Phenomenal,” a ninth opined.
Excellence is a beautiful thing. Joe Root’s batting is breathtakingly elegant. What must it be like to be the greatest your country has ever seen!
— Caroline Derbyshire FCCT (@Morsecat) June 12, 2022
At Lord's, Joe Root has become the second Englishman to breach the 10,000-run barrier.
Many former players, including former Australia captain Mark Taylor, have backed him to break India legend Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record for most runs in Test cricket.
Root with the help of his knock on Sunday went past 10,100 runs in the whites. Tendulkar, on the other hand, retired with 15,921 in 200 Tests.
Follow Us
Subscribe