ENG vs SL: Joe Root remembers Graham Thorpe after record-levelling ton at Lord’s

Star England batter Joe Root dedicated his record-breaking innings to late Graham Thorpe on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.

Notably, Root scored a phenomenal 143 (206) to rescue England from early trouble after they were at 82/3 after being put in to bat first.

From there on, the 33-year-old stitched crucial partnerships with Harry Brook (33) and Gus Atkinson (74) to help his team reach a good score. Following his innings, Root remembered his long-term batting mentor and former England cricketer Graham Thorpe who died earlier this month.

“I’ve been very lucky to work with a lot of people, whether it be senior players, coaches, mentors, and Thorpey was one of those people that offered me so much,” Root was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Thorpe, who played 100 Tests and 82 ODIs for England, took his own life earlier this month after a prolonged battle with anxiety. To honour the former batter, Root pointed out to the skies after completing his 33rd Test hundred. Speaking about the moment after the game, the Yorkshire-born cricketer recalled Thorpe’s contributions in his career stressing upon the fact that he ‘wouldn’t be here without him’.

“It was nice to be able to think of him in that moment. He’s someone that I’m going to sorely miss. He put a lot into my game, into my career, and without his help I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now,” he added.

Joe Root levels with Alastair Cook

Notably, Thorpe also pushed for Root’s selection in the England squad for the India tour in 2012 where he went on to make his debut in the fourth Test in Nagpur and scored a brilliant 73. Meanwhile, Root equaled Alastair Cook’s record of scoring most Test hundreds for England levelling the former England captain with 33 centuries.

It was also his sixth hundred at Lord’s as he got levelled with Graham Gooch and Michael Vaughan who also have six hundreds each to their name at the historic venue. Courtesy of his innings, England finished Day 1 on 358/7 with Gus Atkinson (74*) and Matthew Potts (20*) at the crease.