Report, reaction and analysis
Root makes historic ton as England close on series win
Joe Root chalked up a record 34th Test century as England raced closer to a series victory over Sri Lanka. Root equalled Sir Alastair Cook’s national benchmark this week and is now out on his own as, for the first time in his glittering 145-Test career, he registered a hundred in both innings.
His latest ton, the Yorkshire batter’s seventh at Lord’s, was his fastest ever off 111 deliveries before he holed out for 103, the backbone of England’s 251 which left Sri Lanka needing a world-record 483 to win.
Sri Lanka were left with seven sessions of this second Test to either haul down the mammoth total or bat for a draw to tee up a decider at the Oval next week and they closed on 53 for two as bad light ended play early.
The floodlights were on for most of the third day under gloomy skies but Root lit up the home of cricket as he became the 13th England player to amass a three-figure score in both innings of a Test. PA Media
