In an emotional tribute, England’s star batsman Joe Root dedicated his record-equalling 33rd Test century to the late Graham Thorpe, his former mentor and coach. Root’s historic innings came on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, where he matched Alastair Cook‘s record for most Test hundreds by an Englishman.

Joe Root reaches another milestone in Test cricket

Root entered the crease with England struggling at 42-2 and proceeded to anchor the innings with a composed 143, helping the team reach 358-7 by stumps. Reaching the three-figure mark, Root instantly gestured to the sky in remembrance of Thorpe, who tragically took his own life earlier this month at the age of 55.

He made us wait for it, but the moment Joe Root and the whole of Lord’s was waiting for 🤩💯 pic.twitter.com/6CnDVJ89tD

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 29, 2024

“I’ve been very lucky to work with a lot of people, whether it be senior players, coaches and mentors,” a visibly moved Root told reporters after the day’s play.

“Thorpe was one of those people who offered me so much and it was nice to be able to think of him in that moment. Someone I’m sorely going miss and who I owe a lot to. He put a lot into my game, into my career, and without his help I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now.”

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“I really enjoyed spending a lot of time with him”: Root

Thorpe, a stylish left-handed batter himself, was considered one of the finest of his era in England. He was among the first to recognize Root’s potential, picking him for the England Lions (A team) against Sri Lanka at Scarborough even before Root had scored a first-class hundred.

Root recalled: “He saw something with me. He pushed very hard for me to be involved in that India tour where I made my debut (in 2012) and from that point onwards we worked together.”

Root went on to describe his relationship with Thorpe as more than just a mentor-mentee dynamic, saying they became good friends. “I was very lucky to have someone like him… he was the one guy that was constant throughout that 10, 11, 12-year period. I could go to him under pressure, and I have a really good understanding of my own game and it evolved into more: I became good friends, and I really enjoyed spending a lot of time with him. It was nice to pay a small tribute. It’s nothing, but he means a lot to me – and that was a small thank you.”

Root’s century came at a crucial juncture for England, who were struggling at 212-6 after several top-order batters fell cheaply. However, his partnership with Gus Atkinson, who scored a Test-best 74 not out, helped the team recover and post a respectable total.

The former England captain’s knock was eventually ended by his trademark reverse ramp shot, but not before he had etched his name in the record books. Root’s emotional gesture and heartfelt words serve as a fitting tribute to a man who played a significant role in shaping his illustrious career.

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