England indebted to record-equalling Root century

England 358-7: Root 143, Atkinson 74*

Sri Lanka: Yet to bat

Scorecard

Joe Root’s record-equalling 33rd century ensured England did not waste the chance to bat first on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.

Root’s flawless 143 took him level with Sir Alastair Cook for the most Test centuries for England and was the bedrock of the hosts’ 358-7.

Without Root, England would have been in severe trouble, having surprisingly been inserted by Sri Lanka on a docile pitch under blue sky and sunshine.

Almost all of the England batters were to blame for their own downfalls, including makeshift opener Dan Lawrence, caught behind walking down the pitch for nine, and stand-in captain Ollie Pope, who was caught off an ugly pull for only one.

Root added 48 with Harry Brook and 62 alongside Jamie Smith, but it was only in a seventh-wicket stand of 92 with Gus Atkinson did it feel like England were making the most of the conditions.

Root’s controlled innings was ended by a wild moment, an attempt at his trademark reverse-scoop ending in the hands of point.

Atkinson remained, completing his maiden Test half-century and attacking the second new ball for an unbeaten 74, accompanied by Matthew Potts on 20 not out.

Their partnership is 50 and growing.

Root has been in outstanding form across the summer, so another century was quite predictable. In contrast, the biggest shock of the day came before a ball was bowled, when Dhananjaya de Silva revealed his decision to field first.

Recent history is on the side of teams that have chosen to bowl at Lord’s, but not in conditions such as these. England skipper Pope said he was intending to bat.

Sri Lanka may yet be vindicated. It could be that the sluggish pitch loses all of its life and gets better for batting as the game progresses.

There were times on Thursday when they were poised to take the initiative. England were 82-3 and 130-4. The seamers ran in down the slope from the Pavilion End, spinner Prabath Jayasuriya plugged away from the Nursery End and England were profligate.

But Root held things together and later found support from the increasingly impressive Atkinson. When they were together, England were getting away.

Root’s dismissal was a bonus for Sri Lanka and though England have runs on the board, their total feels around par. If Sri Lanka can mop up the tail on Friday, they have the opportunity to bat themselves into the game.

Root was impeccable in guiding England to victory in the first Test in Manchester on Saturday and the former captain simply picked up where he left off.

This was a century of the highest quality, a sixth Test ton at Lord’s giving Root the share of another record, and an innings that took him past Cook as England’s highest run-scorer in home Tests. He will soon pass Cook as England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer.

While those around him failed to take advantage of the conditions, Root seemed destined for three figures from the moment he clipped his first ball for four. Tucks through the on side would be a feature, along with guides to third man and cover drives.

He survived a tight lbw call off Lahiru Kumara on 11 and inside-edged past his stumps off Milan Rathnayake on 59. Beyond that, Root’s only sticky period came during 12 balls on 99, including another brush with playing on to his own stumps off Kumara.

When he angled the same bowler past slip for four, Root celebrated with his right arm raised aloft.

He was scoring quickly with Atkinson when the reverse-scoop came against Rathnayake and the ball skied into the hands of Pathum Nissanka. It was no doubt unnecessary, especially with the second new ball due, yet takes nothing away from another Root masterclass.