'Simply England’s greatest' - Alastair Cook hails Joe Root after 34th Test ton

Joe Root surpassed his former captain Alastair Cook’s tally of most hundreds by an England international in Test cricket. In the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, the 33-year-old hit twin centuries to break the record; after which, Cook hailed him as the greatest batter England ever produced. In the first innings, he took some time to settle down and hit 143 runs, while in the second, Root displayed his Bazball avatar to hit a quick century as England posted 251 runs.

After the end of the day’s play, Cook revealed that he had the idea that Root could get to his century in the second innings as well. The former cricketer added that it was a pleasure for him to watch Root and go about business like he did at Lord’s. Cook also confessed that he identified Root’s talent on his debut and believed that the cricketer could score 10,000 plus runs in Test cricket.

“He is quite simply England's greatest, and it's right that he should have this record, on his own. We are watching a genius. I don't think there's a batsman that I can remember watching play...the sense of inevitability about scoring runs that Joe Root gives off. I called it when he was on about 6 today, that he was going to get 100. I know he's in great form, but it's just a pleasure to watch a master, a craftsman at work,” commented Alastair Cook on BBC.

Also Read - Joe Root surpasses Alastair Cook's tally of most Test centuries at Lord's

“The game was in the balance and he walked out to bat with his England cap on, looking 13, massive smile on his face. I watched his first few balls, and I was like, 'This bloke is here to stay.' I honestly said, 'He's scoring 10,000 runs.' I don't know who I said it to, but I know that I said it,” he added.

Root’s century helped England post a target of 483 runs. The Ollie Pope-led side managed to pick up two wickets to close the day as Sri Lanka finished Day 3 with 53/2 on board. They need 430 runs to win the second Test of the series, which is a mountain to climb.