Former England captain Michael Vaughan has declared Joe Root as the nation’s greatest batter after the 33-year-old achieved his record-breaking 34th Test century. Root surpassed Sir Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test centuries with his second ton in the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.
Root, who is just 96 runs away from overtaking Cook’s record of 12,472 Test runs for England, has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill. Vaughan highlighted that Root’s success is not due to power-hitting, but rather his impeccable technique and natural ability.
Vaughan praised Root not only for his cricketing prowess but also for being an exemplary role model, describing him as a "fantastic person and a great player." In the match against Sri Lanka, Root scored a commanding 143 in the first innings and followed it up with a flawless 103 in the second, driving England towards a potential victory with Sri Lanka needing a record 483 runs to win.
Root's place among the top Test run-scorers is firmly established, with only six players ahead of him, and only Australia’s Ricky Ponting having a better strike rate. Vaughan attributed Root's distinctiveness to his effortless scoring, noting that opposing teams are often forced to place four fielders behind square on the off side to contain him. This strategic move, however, opens up gaps elsewhere on the field, allowing Root to keep the scoreboard ticking without taking risks.
Cook, who captained England when Root debuted in 2012, has seen many of his records surpassed by the Yorkshireman, who is averaging 60 in 2024. Cook acknowledged that Root has an unparalleled ability to score runs with ease and elegance, surpassing even some of England’s most stylish batsmen like Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell.
Root has scored centuries against seven different nations, including 10 against India and four against Australia, though he is yet to register a hundred in Australia. Vaughan expressed confidence that Root will achieve this milestone during the next Ashes series.
Despite his achievements, Root remains focused on the future, stating that he still has much more to accomplish in his career. Reflecting on his record-breaking century, Root mentioned that it would be satisfying to have "bragging rights" when sharing a drink with Cook. He also expressed his desire to continue playing for a long time, feeling that he still has a lot to give to the game.
Root shared that it was a special moment to celebrate his milestone with his family, recalling how he saw his father on the stairs as he walked up after reaching his century. He stated the importance of cherishing such moments with loved ones.