LONDON — Joe Root paid tribute to the late Graham Thorpe with a historic innings at Lord’s on Thursday, scoring his 33rd Test century and equalling Alastair Cook’s record for the most hundreds by an England batsman.
On the first day of the second Test, Root anchored England’s innings with a resilient 143, leading the team to a strong position at 358-7 at stumps. His gesture towards the sky was a heartfelt nod to Thorpe, who recently passed away at the age of 55.
Reflecting on Thorpe’s influence, Root expressed deep gratitude for his former mentor’s role in his career. “He was instrumental in my development and his support was invaluable,” Root said. “It was important to remember him during this milestone.”
Thorpe, a celebrated left-hander with 100 Test caps, was a key figure in Root’s early career, notably selecting him for an England Lions match and advocating for his inclusion in the 2012 India tour, which marked Root’s debut.
Root’s innings came at a crucial moment, reviving England’s innings after a shaky start at 42-2. Despite Sri Lanka’s strong start and a brief period of vulnerability at 212-6, Root’s partnership with Gus Atkinson, who scored a career-best 74 not out, restored England’s momentum.
As for England’s captaincy, Root reassured Ollie Pope, who struggled with the bat but led the team to a win in the first Test. “Ollie has the talent and the right approach. He’ll find his form soon enough,” Root commented.
With England leading the three-match series 1-0, Root’s tribute to Thorpe and his crucial innings underscore the ongoing impact of mentorship and legacy in the sport.