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.
New Zealand's T20 team, which has undergone a major overhaul after their disappointing exit from the World Cup, have secured a 3-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka. Led by the impressive performances of four players who were not part of the squad six months ago, the Black Caps have once again dominated their opponents in the third T20. Veteran bowler Jacob Duffy and rookie Zak Foulkes were instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka's chase, while batting contributions from Tim Robinson and Mitch Hay helped the hosts set a challenging total of 186. This victory marks a successful start for the revamped Black Caps lineup, showcasing the potential of the new players who have stepped up in the absence of senior players.
In a thrilling Premier League match, Gabriel Jesus continued his scoring streak as Arsenal came from behind to defeat Brentford 3-1. Despite being 1-0 down at half-time, the Gunners remained composed and fired back with goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli. This victory places them just six points behind league leaders Liverpool and shows that they are serious contenders for the title. Manager Mikel Arteta praised his team's resilience and clinical finishing, particularly highlighting Jesus's impressive form.
Indian Cricket Team superstar Shubman Gill, along with three other Gujarat Titans players, has received summons from the Gujarat CID in connection with a Rs 450-crore Ponzi scam. The players are accused of making investments in Bhupendrasinh Zala's companies, which promised high returns but failed to deliver. However, there is no concrete evidence to suggest Gill's involvement in the scam at this point.
The Indian sports community is in celebration as shooter Manu Bhaker, chess world champion D Gukesh, men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar have been selected as recipients of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Bhaker's historic double-medal win at the Olympics, along with Harmanpreet's leadership in securing a second consecutive bronze for the Indian hockey team, were highlights of their achievements. Gukesh's victory as the youngest ever chess world champion and helping India win the gold in Chess Olympiad, and Praveen's T64 championship win in Paralympics, have also earned them the prestigious award. The award ceremony will take place on January 17, 2025, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the awardees will receive this recognition from the President of India.
Indian athletes Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh have been selected to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, the highest sporting honor in the country. This announcement comes alongside the nomination of Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar for the same award. The recipients will receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2025. Bhaker and Gukesh have made their mark in their respective sports, with Bhaker making history as the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympics, and Gukesh becoming the youngest ever World Chess champion.
Amid speculation of unrest following a crushing defeat in the Boxing Day Test against Australia, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and his childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj have denied any division within the Indian team. Gambhir emphasized the importance of honesty and performance in the dressing room, while Bhardwaj clarified that reports of a rift often surface after a loss. Gambhir also addressed rumors about captain Rohit Sharma's absence from the pre-match press conference, stating that the final playing XI will be decided after assessing the pitch.
After a year of criticism and scrutiny, Arsenal's young player Ethan Nwaneri finally gets a chance to prove himself in the starting lineup against Brentford. Despite the opposition's strong record at home, Nwaneri's impressive performance helped secure a win for Arsenal. Manager Mikel Arteta explains that it was a decision based on the player's skill and the significance of his Premier League debut. With a strong start to the year, Arsenal shows potential for the rest of the season.
Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has shared his personal life with fans, revealing his happy marriage and no intention of remarrying. During a podcast appearance, Shehzad also gave advice for viewers in the year 2125 and talked about his shift to YouTube. Download CricRocket for live cricket updates and more exciting features.
There is uncertainty surrounding the future of Rohit Sharma as Indian captain as coach Gautam Gambhir will assess the pitch before making a decision. Sharma's poor form and disappointing dismissals in the previous tests have led to speculation about his place in the team. With a chance to draw the series, Sharma's low average of 6.20 has become a cause of concern for the team.
Former Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has spoken up against online trolls who target Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma after her husband and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli's poor performance. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi wicket-keeper Litton Das impressed with a counter-attacking century against Pakistan in a Test match. Shehzad as well as Das' performances have caught the attention of cricket fans worldwide and sparked discussions.