Joe Root was resolute in his belief that he still has much to offer after his record-breaking 34th Test century brought England closer to a series win over Sri Lanka at Lord's. Root matched retired England opener Alastair Cook's national record earlier this week, but the 32-year-old Yorkshireman has now surpassed it by scoring centuries in both innings for the first time in his 145-Test career. Saturday's performance was also Root's fastest Test hundred, achieved in just 111 balls. He was eventually dismissed for 103, a key contribution to England's second-innings total of 251, with Sri Lanka struggling at 53-2 on the third day, needing a record 483 runs to win. Both Cook and former England captain Michael Vaughan hailed Root as England's finest batsman during BBC Radio commentary, but Root remains focused on his future in Test cricket.
"It's gratifying to receive such praise from two of England's greatest players," Root said after the day's play. "But I believe there's still much more to achieve and contribute. I'll consider my legacy when my passion wanes. Cricket is unpredictable, and circumstances can shift rapidly. I've found a balance recently between striving for improvement and not rushing changes. That's the essence of the game."
Root has now tied for sixth place in the all-time Test century list with Younis Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, and Mahela Jayawardene. Since relinquishing the England captaincy two years ago, Root has flourished under coach Brendon McCullum and injured captain Ben Stokes, averaging nearly 60 with nine centuries in 28 Tests. "This environment and our approach to the game are incredibly stimulating, a place where players excel and even as a veteran, it energizes you," Root noted. "With so much knowledge and information available, one can never be complacent or expect to play the same way consistently."
Root emphasized the importance of taking time to refine one's game. "Recently, I've struck a good balance between seeking improvement and evolving without rushing - that's the art of it," he explained. After his innings, Root embraced his father, nearly missing the moment. "I almost overlooked him; it was a special moment to share with him," Root recounted. Former teammate and Sri Lanka's batting coach for this series, Ian Bell, praised Root, saying, "It was a joy to watch. His skill level is remarkable. Having played with him and seen his dedication, it's incredible to witness his achievements with more to come."
