Joe Root matched the record with his 33rd Test century, helping England to a commanding position against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the second Test at Lord's on Thursday. England, who were struggling at 42-2 when Root came to bat, finished the day at 358-7, with Root contributing 143 – his sixth century at the 'Home of Cricket'. None of the other top-order English batsmen scored more than Ben Duckett's 40. However, fast bowler Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 74 – his first Test fifty in just five matches – after a crucial partnership of 92 with Root for the seventh wicket in 19 overs.
Earlier, Ollie Pope was dismissed for single digits for the third consecutive innings since becoming England's stand-in captain, as Sri Lanka managed to take three wickets before lunch after winning the toss. Despite the sunny weather, Sri Lanka's captain Dhananjaya de Silva chose to field first, aiming to level the three-match series at 1-1 after England's victory in the first Test at Old Trafford last week. The decision seemed questionable when Duckett hit three fours in an over off Asitha Fernando, but Dan Lawrence was caught behind for nine off Lahiru Kumara, who replaced Vishwa Fernando.
Pope, who had scored just one, top-edged a pull off Fernando and De Silva took a well-judged catch running back from square leg. Root, 33, stepped in with the innings in a precarious state. He was on 11 when he was hit on the pad by a full-length Kumara delivery, leading to a loud lbw appeal. The decision was not out, and Sri Lanka's review upheld the umpire's call. However, no reviews were needed when Prabath Jayasuriya, the left-arm spinner, dismissed Duckett with a reverse scoop to Kumara at point, ending his 47-ball 40.
Root, fresh from his match-winning 62 not out at Old Trafford, steadied the innings with partnerships of 48 with Harry Brook (33) and 62 with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (21), who scored his maiden Test century at Old Trafford. Chris Woakes was dismissed carelessly for six, pulling Fernando straight to long leg, leaving England at 216-6. Root, who reached 81 not out at tea, spent 12 balls on 99 and almost got out to Kumara when he was one run short of a century. However, he elegantly guided the ball for four between slip and gully to complete his sixth century at Lord's, in 162 balls.
This achievement tied him with former England captain Cook's record of 33 Test centuries, though in fewer matches. Root's century also placed him joint-tenth in the all-time list of Test century-makers, led by India's Sachin Tendulkar with 51 hundreds in 200 Tests. Root, who made his Test debut in 2012, is the only active cricketer in this elite group. He was eventually out when he hit a ramp shot off Milan Rathnayake to Pathum Nissanka at point, leaving England at 308-7. However, Atkinson continued to shine, reaching fifty in 61 balls with a textbook cover drive and later pulling Kumara for a six over midwicket.
