ROOT’S 5 GREATEST TEST INNINGS

130 v AUSTRALIA TRENT BRIDGE, 2015

ASHES hundreds always mean that much more and this one was right up there. It came in a Test that will always be remembered for Stuart Broad’s eight for 15 to demolish the old enemy for 60, but just as important was Root following it up with 130. England won by an innings and 78 runs.

228 v SRI LANKA GALLE, 2021

YES, the most recent innings always stand out but Root has rarely played better than in these two Tests in Galle. No less a figure than Angelo Mathews says Root gave the perfect lesson in how to play spin on the subcontinent in the first Test and it was the biggest reason England won by seven wickets. Then he repeated it in yesterday’s epic performance.

254 v PAKISTAN OLD TRAFFORD, 2016

THE biggest is not always the best but Root’s highest score of his four double centuries was a monumental effort against a strong Pakistan attack made from the No 3 position where he prefers not to bat, certainly while he is captain. It helped England to victory by a whopping 330 runs.

190 v SOUTH AFRICA LORD’S, 2017

A BIG hundred at the home of cricket always stands out, not least one against an attack of the calibre of South Africa’s. This is remembered as Moeen Ali’s match but Root set up England’s 211-run win with 190 as captain after succeeding Alastair Cook.

180 v AUSTRALIA LORD’S 2013

WE started with Australia and let’s end with Australia. Root showed his versatility by making 180 in the second innings of the Test as an opener. This was Root displaying discipline and application to set up England’s 347-run win on their way to a 3-0 Ashes victory.