Root slams 33rd Test ton to rescue England

LONDON, August 29

Joe Root's 33rd Test century salvaged a challenging Day 1 for England as they reached the close on 358/7 in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's. Root survived a close lbw shout on 11, the decision going with umpire's call on review, and nearly chopped on to his own stumps during 12 increasingly tense deliveries on 99 not out. The 33-year-old moved to three figures in his 145th Test with a trademark four through third man to equal former England opener Alastair Cook's tally of Test centuries.

Root and Gus Atkinson compiled a seventh-wicket partnership of 92 against a tiring Sri Lanka, before Root fell for 143 with a scuffed scoop off Milan Rathnayake.

Atkinson (74 not out) and Matthew Potts (20 not out) then saw off eight overs of the second new ball with aplomb and Sri Lanka will want to wrap up the tail quickly and utilise good batting conditions.

"We are playing in a team that really enjoys the way we go about it so just trying to soak it up as much as you can," Root said. — Reuters