Sri Lanka vs England 2018: Twitter Reacts as Joe Root Slams a Brilliant Century

England skipper Joe Root notched up his 15th Test century to help his side to a 278 run lead on day three of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele.

Meanwhile, the visitors ended the day on 324 for nine after play was cut short by a thunderstorm in the final session. Root will cherish this knock, which saw him register his second three-figure score in Asian conditions. Wickets kept tumbling around him, but the 27-year-old applied himself on a tricky pitch to unearth a masterclass of an innings against a potent spin bowling attack.

Root, who’d looked scratchy during the early part of his knock, took charge post Lunch. England beefed up their lead by 121 in between the two sessions and 72 of those came off their captain’s bat. The right-hand batsman grew in confidence with each passing delivery, swept comfortably, occasionally even came down the track – to Dilruwan Perera first and then Dhananjaya – for his two sixes, and ran hard between the wickets to keep the runs coming at a quick pace.

Joe Root eventually got to the milestone two balls into the final session with the help of a lucky edge that carried safely to the fence. With Ben Foakes for company, Root continued to frustrate the Sri Lanka spinners. The pair together added 82 runs for the seventh wicket as Root was the aggressor in the partnership.

Like for the six men prior to him, a failed attempt at reverse sweep proved to be the centurion’s undoing as Dhananjaya picked the first of his three quick wickets in the final session that managed to slow down England’s charge. England now leads by 278 runs with two days still to play.

Twitter erupted in joy as Joe Root brought his 15th Test century:

A truly very special century from Joe Root.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 16, 2018

What a performance from joe root and england on that surface ..one of the best test hundreds one will see on a pitch which is turning square .. @root66 @ParthJindal11 @ECB_cricket

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) November 16, 2018

11 England captains with 19 Test 100s in Asia…
Ted Dexter (2)
Colin Cowdrey (1)
Tony Lewis (1)
Tony Greig (1)
David Gower (2)
Nasser Hussain+ (1)
Michael Vaughan+ (1)
Marcus Trescothick (1)
Kevin Pietersen (1)
Alastair Cook (7)
JOE ROOT+ (1)
+ in Sri Lanka (3)#SLvEng

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 16, 2018

Joe Root is playing a masterclass. Wonderful exhibition going on of how to play spin in difficult conditions. #SLvENG

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 16, 2018

15th Test 100 for Joe Root, 4th as Captain… #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/vxjzJlkhTN

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) November 16, 2018

A wonderful hundred from Root. Has put Eng in a position where they will have confidence to wrap up the series. #SLvEng

— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) November 16, 2018

Joe Root looks in absolutely horrible nick

— Ben Wells (@fotballben1) November 16, 2018

Joe Root has just completed a truly great Test match hundred

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) November 16, 2018

When I grow up I want to be Joe Root

— Paul Godfrey (@Godders2k12) November 16, 2018

Why u not like Joe root. he is the greatest ever

— Vishu Gujjar (@VishuGu12599672) November 16, 2018

100 for Joe Root…..fantastic performance.

— Max HarryHindsight Capital (@MaxDrake007) November 16, 2018

Joe Root century puts England in command #SLvsEng

— Muhammad Qasim Iftik (@Qasimifti) November 16, 2018

What a day of modern Test cricket! What a hundred for Joe Root! What a fearless display from 'his' England side. Advantage England but Sri Lanka still have a sniff 278 behind….

— Paul Newman (@Paul_NewmanDM) November 16, 2018

Century For Joe Root

He Converted His Last 2 50s In To 100s#SLvsENG

— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) November 16, 2018