Joe Root’s Spring Continues: Scores 39th Century in Oval Test

English batsman Joe Root is still in fine form. In the second innings of the ongoing Test at the Oval, Root scored 105 runs, marking his 39th Test century. Before being caught by Dhruv Jurel off the bowling of Prasidh Krishna, Root’s innings was a crucial contribution for England.

With this century, Root has surpassed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to climb to fourth place on the list of most Test centuries. Ahead of him are only Sachin Tendulkar (51 centuries), Jacques Kallis (45 centuries), and Ricky Ponting (41 centuries).

This is Root’s 24th Test century on English soil, setting the record for the most Test centuries at home. With this achievement, Root has overtaken Ponting, Kallis, and Mahela Jayawardene (each with 23 home centuries).

During the 40th over of the innings, Root reached another milestone by completing 28 runs with a boundary off Mohammad Siraj, becoming the first player to score 6,000 runs in the World Test Championship (WTC). Achieving this in just 69 matches further cements his position as one of the tournament’s top batsmen.

Root’s WTC record includes 20 centuries and 22 half-centuries, showcasing the former England captain’s skill and consistency.