Watch: Alastair Cook jealous? England great's reaction to Joe Root hitting record-breaking 34th Test ton goes viral

Published - 31 Aug 2024, 09:33 PM | Updated - 01 Sep 2024, 11:23 AM

Alastair Cook, Joe Root
Alastair Cook, Joe Root (PC: X)

England National Cricket Team modern-day great Joe Root has shattered the long-standing record of legendary Alastair Cook to become the batter with the most centuries for England in the history of Test cricket.

Root achieved this remarkable feat in the second Test of the three-match series against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London by smashing twin tons. Notably, he now has scored as many Test hundreds (17) since the start of 2021 as the rest of the Fab-4 combined.

In the first innings, he scored 143 runs off 206 balls before being dismissed by Milan Rathnayake in the 78th over. Meanwhile, in the second innings, he scored 103 runs off 121 balls before being dismissed by Lahiru Kumara in the 55th over.

Root's twin centuries helped him go past Alastair Cook's tally of 33 Test hundreds for England and become the leading century-maker. Root completed the milestone by smashing a four off Lahiru Kumara through the covers on the second ball of the 53rd over.

After completing the ton, Root jumped in delight and he punched the air, before raising the bat and soaking the applause. Alastair Cook was seeing all this unfold live at the Lord's as he was commentating for BBC.

Many fans felt that Cook would be jealous seeing Root break his record but that was not at all the case. BBC shared an exclusive clip of Cook's reaction to Root hitting his 34th Test ton and the England great looked absolutely delighted to see the 33-year-old achieving the milestone.

His reaction to Joe Root breaking his record showed his gracious nature and sportsmanship. Also, Cook celebrated Root's achievement, demonstrating his humility.

Watch: Alastair Cook's Heartwarming Reaction To Joe Root's Record-breaking Ton

Also, looking at the things unfold, Alastair Cook labeled Root as 'England's greatest' and lauded him as the batting genius. Speaking on-air, the England great stated:

"Quite simply, he is England's greatest. It is absolutely right that he has this record to himself. Take it in, Joe, we are watching you and you are a genius. There is a sense of inevitability around Joe Root when he bats, a sense that he is always going to score runs. It's such a pleasure to see a master at work like this."

Alastair Cook was even livid when the cameras panned towards him and he said that the broadcasters should show Root instead of him as it is his moment. He further said (as quoted by BBC Test Match Special):

"There are cameras on me from all angles. I feel very anxious. Now I feel like whatever reaction I give, it's going to be acting, and it's going to be seen everywhere!."

"Now they're showing me on the big screen around the ground. What a way to kick a man when he's down. That's exactly my point! Stop showing me, it's about Joe!"

Also, in the last innings of the match, Joe Root achieved yet another major feat by becoming the first-ever England National Cricket Team fielder to take 200 catches in Test cricket history.

Tagged:

Alastair Cook Joe Root England National Cricket Team Sri Lanka national cricket team
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