Joe Root on 99. He gets a full ball on leg stump from Maharaj. If you are playing at Lords, you are generally so desperate to get a 100. You will either flick through your pads near square leg and sprint a single. Joe Root chose to paddle sweep it to fine leg for a 3. Here it was! The helmet comes off. Punch in the air. Moeen Ali hugs him and congratulates him. The whole atmosphere is electric. The applause doesn't stop for almost forever. Everyone is at their feet giving standing ovation. His father, grandfather and son all are there to watch. All 4 generations of Roots on the same ground at the same time to cherish the most beautiful moment in their family history.
This is what dreams are made of. First test as captain at Mecca of Cricket. Getting your name at the honors board. Leading the team to position of fortitude. Converting the hundred into a daddy one. Leading from the front. That's Joe Root for you. Root de Force.
Just before this match, I saw his interview at Lords. He spoke about his nervousness and the immense pressure the job brings with it. The constant scrutiny is just the nature of this beast. He got a cold and sore throat just before the match began. It looked like bad omen. At 76 for 4 at Lunch, the situation looked perilous. England were in usual mess again.
But, Root found a way to overcome it. He didn't only put England out of trouble, but he put them in a commanding position. He, along with Moeen plummeted 175 runs in the final session to give South Africa a bad night's sleep. At the end of day 1, he was unbeaten on 184. It was magical and surreal.
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Joe Root on 149. He comes down the pitch. Maharaj is bowling from Nursery end. He gets a sharp turn and beats the outside edge. De Kock does the rest. It is all over. Root gets a handshake from Philander. But, wait a minute. They are checking the front foot. No. It can't be. Not a spinner. No kidding. He had overstepped. God was watching and enjoying Root's innings equally well as 29,000 spectators at the ground.
Next ball, he pushes to sweeper cover to reach 150. Applause begins. It doesn't fade for the rest of the day.
In many ways, this was a day destined to happen. It was inevitable. All other 3 members of Fab-4 of this generation (Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson) are already the captains of their countries. Kohli and Smith got hundreds in their first test as captain, while Kane got 91. It was almost as if Joe was due to get a ton at the ground he relishes batting so much. He is now also the fastest to reach 1000 runs at Lords(17 innings) surpassing Strauss (19 innings). He is sixth England captain to get a 100 in his first test. (Previous all 3 captains Strauss, KP, Cook had done it)
He is undoubtedly the best batsman England have ever produced. I remember his debut against India in Nagpur where he scored 73 and 20*. I had a special feeling about him. He looked like a school boy ready to take on the world. Little did I notice that he will go on to become this good. He has an insatiable hunger to improve. He is one of few players who play all formats for England. He has all the shots in the book, can play any situation.
This hundred will definitely settle him into this new England captain role. Admittedly, it was riding on a lot of luck. 2 dropped chances and once out off a no-ball, but like they say, "fortune favors the brave". Root made sure that he made most of it. He was aggressive throughout the day and in the evening session at one stage he had scored 94 off 83 balls in 150 runs partnership with Moeen. He wasn't ready to slow down to savor the moment. He was there to put South Africa out of the match. There is a lot of work to be done, but it is nice start for sure.
The butterflies in the stomach are gone. The monkey is off the back. Highest score in first innings as England skipper. Captain Root sets a new marker for England. Shine Joe, Shine.
This is what dreams are made of. First test as captain at Mecca of Cricket. Getting your name at the honors board. Leading the team to position of fortitude. Converting the hundred into a daddy one. Leading from the front. That's Joe Root for you. Root de Force.
Just before this match, I saw his interview at Lords. He spoke about his nervousness and the immense pressure the job brings with it. The constant scrutiny is just the nature of this beast. He got a cold and sore throat just before the match began. It looked like bad omen. At 76 for 4 at Lunch, the situation looked perilous. England were in usual mess again.
But, Root found a way to overcome it. He didn't only put England out of trouble, but he put them in a commanding position. He, along with Moeen plummeted 175 runs in the final session to give South Africa a bad night's sleep. At the end of day 1, he was unbeaten on 184. It was magical and surreal.
-----------------------------------------------
Joe Root on 149. He comes down the pitch. Maharaj is bowling from Nursery end. He gets a sharp turn and beats the outside edge. De Kock does the rest. It is all over. Root gets a handshake from Philander. But, wait a minute. They are checking the front foot. No. It can't be. Not a spinner. No kidding. He had overstepped. God was watching and enjoying Root's innings equally well as 29,000 spectators at the ground.
Next ball, he pushes to sweeper cover to reach 150. Applause begins. It doesn't fade for the rest of the day.
In many ways, this was a day destined to happen. It was inevitable. All other 3 members of Fab-4 of this generation (Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson) are already the captains of their countries. Kohli and Smith got hundreds in their first test as captain, while Kane got 91. It was almost as if Joe was due to get a ton at the ground he relishes batting so much. He is now also the fastest to reach 1000 runs at Lords(17 innings) surpassing Strauss (19 innings). He is sixth England captain to get a 100 in his first test. (Previous all 3 captains Strauss, KP, Cook had done it)
He is undoubtedly the best batsman England have ever produced. I remember his debut against India in Nagpur where he scored 73 and 20*. I had a special feeling about him. He looked like a school boy ready to take on the world. Little did I notice that he will go on to become this good. He has an insatiable hunger to improve. He is one of few players who play all formats for England. He has all the shots in the book, can play any situation.
This hundred will definitely settle him into this new England captain role. Admittedly, it was riding on a lot of luck. 2 dropped chances and once out off a no-ball, but like they say, "fortune favors the brave". Root made sure that he made most of it. He was aggressive throughout the day and in the evening session at one stage he had scored 94 off 83 balls in 150 runs partnership with Moeen. He wasn't ready to slow down to savor the moment. He was there to put South Africa out of the match. There is a lot of work to be done, but it is nice start for sure.
The butterflies in the stomach are gone. The monkey is off the back. Highest score in first innings as England skipper. Captain Root sets a new marker for England. Shine Joe, Shine.
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