ENG vs WI: Joe Root matches Kane Williamson and Steve Smith’s tally of Test centuries

Joe Root. (Source -Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

England’s legendary mainstay Joe Root added another feather to his illustrious Test career as he notched up his 32nd Test ton on Day 4 of the ongoing Trent Bridge Test against West Indies in Nottingham on Sunday (July 21). Root has now equalled the number of tons with Australia’s prolific batter Steve Smith along with another legendary batter in the form of Kane Williamson from New Zealand.

Consequently, Root is now only behind the former England opener and Captain Sir Alastair Cook who still most number of centuries for the nation. Notably, the Yorkshire-born played a sumptuous cover drive off pacer Alzarri Joseph in the 84th over in the second innings to achieve the memorable milestone during his knock (122 off 178 balls) and shortly after got dismissed by Jason Holder.

Furthermore, Root also became the eighth-highest run-getter in the history of Test cricket as he breezed past legends viz- Mahela Jayawardene (11,814 Test runs) from Sri Lanka and legendary Southpaw Shivanarine Chanderpaul (11,867 Test runs) from West Indies. Interestingly, this was the fifth occasion for the 33-year-old to have scored a century at the renowned venue. This meant that he also equalized the record with England legends Denis Compton and Michael Atherton, respectively for scoring as many tons at Trent Bridge.

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Not just that, the list swells further as he also equalled the record for most Test centuries against West Indies with the likes of Alan Lamb, Colin Cowdrey, Sir Andrew Strauss and Sir Alastair Cook. Notably, all the legendary batters have six centuries to their name.

West Indies staring down barrel during run chase in second Test against England

Meanwhile, speaking of the game, Joe Root along with his partner Harry Brook, tormented West Indies as both of them scored centuries as England finished with 425 runs on the board thereby giving a huge target of 385 runs to West Indies. Currently, the visitors are in trouble with four top-order batters walking back to the hut as they are reeling at 75/4 after 17 overs, needing another 310 runs to win the game.

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However, should West Indies fail to achieve the required target, England will be able to gain an unassailable lead of 2-0 margin in the ongoing three-match Test series.