England captain Joe Root's brilliant innings of 143 helped his team recover from a difficult position to reach 358/7 on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's. Root's century, his 33rd in Tests, ties him with Alastair Cook for the most Test centuries at Lord's by an England player. He also becomes the active player with the most Test centuries, going past Steve Smith and Kane Williamson. Root's elegant cover drive after reaching his century was a highlight of his innings, which helped England get out of a spot of bother and take control of the match.
England's Resurgence Under Joe Root's Leadership
England's resurgence in Test cricket under the leadership of Joe Root has been a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Root, appointed captain in 2017, has led England to a string of impressive victories, including a recent triumph over Sri Lanka at Lord's.
Root's Historic Innings
In the second Test against Sri Lanka, Root played a pivotal role in England's recovery from a precarious position. Batting at number three, Root scored a magnificent 143, his 33rd Test century. This innings surpassed Alastair Cook's record of Test centuries at Lord's by an England player and made Root the active player with the most Test centuries, surpassing Steve Smith and Kane Williamson.
Root's innings was characterized by his trademark elegance and composed strokeplay. His cover drive after reaching his century was a moment of pure brilliance, solidifying his status as one of the best batsmen of his generation.
England's Dominance
Root's century helped galvanize England, who went on to dominate the match. The team eventually declared their first innings on 358/7, giving their bowlers a significant advantage. Sri Lanka struggled in response, being bowled out for 183 in their first innings.
England extended their lead in the second innings, setting Sri Lanka a challenging target of 466. The visitors were unable to mount a serious challenge and were eventually dismissed for 242, handing England a resounding victory.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is Joe Root's Test batting average? Root's current Test batting average is 49.24.
2. How many Tests has Root captained England in? Root has captained England in 65 Tests.
3. What is England's win-loss record under Root's captaincy? England have won 27 Tests, lost 26 Tests, and drawn 12 Tests under Root's captaincy.
4. What is the highest individual score by an England batsman at Lord's? The highest individual score by an England batsman at Lord's is 273 by Walter Hammond in 1928.
5. What is England's highest-ever Test score? England's highest-ever Test score is 903/7 declared against Australia at The Oval in 1938.
Chelsea dominated Wolves in a 3-0 victory at home tonight in the Premier League. Malo Gusto and Joao Pedro were the standout players for the Blues with their goals in the second half, while goalkeeper Sanchez earned an easy clean sheet as he went untested in the match. Let's break down the individual performances of each Chelsea player in this impressive win.
In Chelsea's 3-0 win over Wolves, 18-year-old Brazilian Estevao made another impactful appearance off the bench, assisting the second goal just 68 seconds after coming on. Fans have been calling for him to start more regularly and after his recent performance, that demand will only grow louder. Speaking highly of the young talent, coach Enzo Maresca expressed that players like Estevao are what fans want to see on the pitch.
Chelsea put on a dominant display against Wolves at Stamford Bridge, securing a 3-0 victory and moving up to second place in the Premier League. Despite a goalless first half, the Blues eventually found the net through goals from Malo Gusto and Joao Pedro, assisted by Alejandro Garnacho. Pedro Neto added a third against his former team to secure all three points for Enzo Maresca's side.
Fans in Brazil continue to boo Lando Norris, following his second Sprint victory of the 2025 season. Ted Kravitz speculates that the booing may be due to Norris' recent on-track controversies, including his request for a position back in Monza and the "papaya rules" incident in Mexico. Despite his win, Norris' reception from the crowd remains icy.
Arsenal's away game against Slavia Prague seemed bleak without star striker Viktor Gyökeres, but midfielder Mikel Merino stepped up and delivered a phenomenal performance in an unfamiliar role. His two-goal brace showed his versatility and instinct as a natural striker, leaving opposition defenses confused and impressed. Manager Mikel Arteta praised Merino's impact, showcasing the team's depth and unity. This triumph also serves as a reminder to opposing teams that Arsenal has the ability to adapt and win, even in the face of injuries.
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In an intense qualifying session for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, McLaren driver Lando Norris edged out Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 0.174 seconds to take pole position. This denied Antonelli his first ever pole position in F1, after he previously set a record as the youngest ever polesitter at the Miami Sprint. Antonelli will start in second place for the race, with Norris expected to be a strong contender for the win.
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen endured a shock Q1 exit during qualifying for the 2025 F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, marking his first time being knocked out in the first session in over four years. His teammate Yuki Tsunoda also failed to progress, highlighting Red Bull's struggles at the Interlagos circuit. Verstappen cited lack of grip and compromised setup as the reasons for his poor performance, with both drivers recording uncharacteristically slow lap times. This is the first time since 2006 that both Red Bull drivers have failed to make it past Q1.
In an intense match, Arsenal and Sunderland ended in a 2-2 draw after a late error from the Gunners. Despite putting up a strong fight, Arsenal couldn't hold on to their lead as Sunderland's Brian Brobbey scored an equalizer in extra time. Let's take a look at how each player performed on the pitch, with goalkeeper David Raya receiving a 7 for several stunning saves.