Joe Root equaled the record for scoring 33 Test centuries as England took control against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s.
England was at 42-2 when Root started batting, and they finished the day at 358-7 with Root scoring 143 runs, marking his sixth Test century at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Ben Duckett scored more runs than any other top-order England batsman, with 40.
However, fast bowler Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 74 by the end of the day, scoring his first Test fifty in only five matches, while also contributing to Root with good assistance in a partnership of 92 runs for the seventh wicket in 19 overs.
Before lunch, Ollie Pope was dismissed for a low score in his third consecutive innings while serving as England’s temporary captain, with Sri Lanka claiming three wickets after winning the coin toss.
In spite of the sunny weather, Sri Lanka’s captain Dhananjaya de Silva chose to bowl first, aiming to even the series at 1-1 after England’s victory in the first Test at Old Trafford.
Scoring three fours in one over off Asitha Fernando, left-handed opener Duckett’s move seemed questionable.
However, stand-in opener Dan Lawrence was dismissed for nine after being caught behind off Lahiru Kumara, who replaced Vishwa Fernando in the team.
In his first match as England captain at Old Trafford, Pope got out for just one run. He top-edged a pull shot off Fernando and De Silva caught it while running back from square leg.
Once again during his lengthy England career, the 33-year-old Root entered the innings with the outcome uncertain.
He was at 11 runs when struck on the pad by a full-length Kumara delivery, leading to a loud lbw appeal.
Paul Reiffel did not overturn his decision, as Sri Lanka’s review confirmed the umpire’s call.
However, when left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took just his fourth delivery, Duckett’s 47-ball 40 came to a disappointing end as he top-edged a reverse scoop to Kumara at the point boundary with no need for reviews.
Ex-captain Root, coming off a match-winning 62 not out at Old Trafford, took guard as England struggled at 97-3 by lunch at Lord’s.
Root, Harry Brook (33), and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (21) collectively shared stands of 48 and 62 while Smith achieved his first Test century at Old Trafford.
Chris Woakes unfortunately hit Fernando straight to long leg on six, leaving England at 216-6.
At tea, Root was 81 not out and took 12 balls to reach 99. The 33-year-old nearly edged Kumara when he was one run away from a century.
However, Root elegantly directed the paceman between slip and gully for a four to reach a century, his sixth at Lord’s in Tests, with his 13th boundary in 162 balls.
This meant Root equalled the record of 33 Test centuries held by former England captain Cook, but achieved it in his 145th match, while Cook did so in 161 games.
After scoring his third century, Root now shares the tenth spot on the list of all-time Test century-makers with India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved 51 centuries in 200 Test matches.
However, Root, who started playing Test matches in 2012, is the sole current cricketer among this exclusive group, with the rest being retired.
After playing in a mostly traditional manner, Root got dismissed by skying a non-traditional ramp shot off fast bowler Milan Rathnayake to Pathum Nissanka at point, leaving England at 308-7.
However, Atkinson reached fifty in only 61 balls after hitting Jayasuriya for two excellent straight sixes and then cover-driving Rathnayake for a classic four.
And the 26-year-old also punished the new ball, hitting Kumara for six over midwicket.