ENG vs NZ: Twitter Reacts As Joe Root Smashes 4th Innings Century At Lord's; Helps England Start New Era With 5-Wicket Win
England Test batter Joe Root’s imperious form knows no bounds as the 31-year-old smashed his 26th career century to take his side to a 5-wicket over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s.
Root, batting overnight on 77, needed to stay till the end to ensure that England doesn’t suffer a typical collapse. In the company of Ben Foakes, he managed to do exactly so and he did it in style.
The old ball wasn’t doing much on the surface and Root ensured that the home side reached the target on Day 4 before the Kiwis grabbed hold of the new ball.
Root reached his century in the most assured manner with a convincing flick through midwicket to cross the 10,000 run mark as well – only the second Englishman to do so after Alastair Cook.
The victory also marks a great beginning of the new era under the duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. It was their first game in charge having been appointed the full-time captain and head coach respectively.
Earlier, New Zealand had been bowled out for 132 in their first innings with Matt Potts and James Anderson taking four wickets each. After a good opening stand in response, England collapsed and could only muster 141 on the board – a 9-run lead.
New Zealand was then in trouble having slipped to 56/4 but Daryl Mitchell (108) and Tom Blundell (96) stitched an incredible partnership to help set a target of 277 but it wasn’t enough with the form Root was in.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Joe Root’s incredible century:
What a legend @root66 is, simply terrific ton. Cracking start to a new era of English cricket. Can’t wait for TB this week. Well done the @CSM_Worldwide boys @OPope32 @jbairstow21 @MattyJPotts #ENGvNZ
— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) June 5, 2022
No better feeling than a match-winning 100 in a pressure run chase. Many congratulations to @root66 on an incredible 100 and on reaching 10000 Test runs, massive achievement. #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/1mvfdwrtyv
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 5, 2022
Amazing to think this was Joe Root’s first 4th innings ton. Second Englishman to cross 10000 Test runs and equal youngest ever with Sir Alistair Cook at 31yrs and 157 days. Job done for England – well played ??#ENGvsNZ
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) June 5, 2022
Joe root what a legend ??? modern day great, @root66 ?
#testatitsbest #testcricket #NzvsEng #ENGvNZ #JoeRoot pic.twitter.com/ASvto2o5KA
— Ashwejkhan (@Ashwejkhan) June 5, 2022
Joe Root has 10,000 Test runs. And he's just 31 ? Well played and congratulations @root66 ?? #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/l5dDL5v7Iz
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 5, 2022
Joe Root has a classy hundred, his first in the fourth innings of a Test, and in doing so moves to 10,000 Test runs.
Incredibly he and Alastair Cook – the only other Englishman to do so – both got there aged 31 years and 157 days. They're the joint youngest of the 14 to make it.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) June 5, 2022
Joe Root, the great crowd pleaser that he is, has secured victory quickly enough that 4th day ticket holders will receive a full refund.
— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) June 5, 2022
Joe Root joins the elite club of 10,000 Test runs. pic.twitter.com/aBCectkQM4
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 5, 2022
English crowd continue to boo Joe Root as he single handedly wins a another Test match. Not sure what the guy has to do to win the respect of the public
— Ian Higgins (@1an_Higgins) June 5, 2022
Joe Root is the first batter in Test history to reach 10,000 runs milestone in less than 10 years. #EngvNZ
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 5, 2022
Fab 4 Test centuries at 2021 start:
1. Virat Kohli – 27.
2. Steven Smith – 26.
3. Kane Williamson – 24.
4. Joe Root – 17.Fab 4 Test centuries now:
1. Smith – 27.
2. Kohli – 27.
3. Root – 26*.
4. Williamson – 24.— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 5, 2022
Cracking start for @benstokes38. Life after Joe Root begins with a win inspired by Joe Root.
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) June 5, 2022
