Joe Root’s historic 33rd Test century rescued England after Sri Lanka’s bold decision to bowl under clear blue skies at Lord’s threatened to pay off.
After a nervy 12-ball 99, Root belatedly equalled Sir Alastair Cook’s England record for the most hundreds in Tests, with the Yorkshireman’s superb 143 the foundation of a first-day total of 358 for seven.
Gus Atkinson hit four sixes in a best-of-81 score of 74 not out after England had staggered to 216 for six, but the day belonged to Root, who scored heavily behind square on both sides of the wicket.
His only blemish was being dismissed towards his patented reverse ramp, although he was not the only one to give away his wicket as Ollie Pope recorded his third consecutive single-figure score since replacing Ben Stokes as England captain.
Here, Mail Sport columnist DAVID ‘BUMBLE’ LLOYD tells you some of the stories you may have missed from Lord’s.
Joe Root’s historic 33rd Test century saved England against Sri Lanka on Thursday
A strange decision?
It seemed an odd decision by Sri Lanka at the toss, especially when you have the best spinner in the game in Prabath Jayasuriya and no real pace to trouble England.
It is becoming more common to introduce opposition even when it is sunny. I am old school: I bat first and write them down.
Jayasuriya continued to bowl beautifully and although there was nothing on the pitch for him on the first day, I thought the Sri Lankan quicks were really smart.
All attention on the Pope
Ollie Pope is the centre of attention. This is his 48th test and his average is 34.
An England number three with an average of 34 is not enough and on Thursday he again had a ridiculous shot. Regardless of the vice-captain, this is a crucial series for Pope the batsman.
He must be a concern for England. I don’t think they will part with him, but the statistics say it all. In my opinion, the best player and the one who would fit perfectly in this system would be James Vince.
Ollie Pope is the centre of attention. This is his 48th test and his average is 34, which is not good.
Bright stars
It’s great to see Olly Stone get another chance. He’s quicker than most and, heading into The Ashes, England are not short of pace options.
Look at Gus Atkinson coming in with a wet sail and I’m delighted that Saqib Mahmood is getting back to full fitness.
A word to Josh Hull too and keep an eye on Gloucestershire’s Zaman Akhter, who dismissed Joe Root and Harry Brook when he got his first five. We have a bunch of really fast bowlers and the trick is to keep them fit.
It’s great to see Olly Stone get another chance as he’s quicker than most.
A little bit of gardening
I’m not in London this week, so I spent the morning doing some gardening at home.
Well, I’ve been trying to make a putting green in the garden because my putting green is rubbish. Let’s just say it’s a work in progress.
On the advice of the gardener, I started with some hollow spikes (which make the holes), followed by some scarification (which takes out the trash) and then seeded the lawn with my little hopper and some creeping fescue. For some reason, my wife thinks I’m crazy.
Are adjustments needed to England’s basketball?
Once again, Joe Root and the middle order had to bail England out of a tight spot at 82 for three. Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett all gifted their wickets to Sri Lanka.
I love the aggressiveness of basketball, but shot selection is very important. At this level, you have to have solid defense and solid concentration.
In the words of Sir Geoffrey Boycott: “Don’t do anything stupid!” At the moment, that order from above does not fill me with confidence.
It was left to Joe Root and the middle order to get England back to 82 for three.
A victory for modernity
I am old enough to remember when the authorities decreed and insisted that all players’ equipment had to be white, with no other colors or inscriptions.
Even the three stripes on Adidas boots had to be covered with tape! Now there are ads everywhere.
It’s all about player power. When you watch it on TV, it’s all a bit psychedelic because those boards are constantly changing color.
Before all the teams were blank, but now there are ads everywhere.
Balance is the key
Joe Root is the epitome of balance. When I say that, I mean he has a really good balance in his life outside of cricket.
He stays very balanced and that’s a good lesson for any young player who takes the bat to bed.
Root will go down in history as the player with the most Test hundreds for England, but knowing him, he’ll be looking at Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 51 hundreds. At this rate, he needs about four more years. Remember, he’s only 33. Cheer up, Joe!