Skipper Joe Root completed his 18th Test century to push England towards a big lead on a rain-hit day two of the opening match against Sri Lanka on Friday.
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Joe Root moved from 99 to 100 with a single off spinner Dilruwan Perera off the second ball after lunch as the tourists piled on the runs in response to Sri Lanka’s 135.
The star batsman, who passed 12 000 runs in his first-class career in the morning session that started late due to rain, raised his bat after reaching the landmark and hugged partner Dan Lawrence, batting on 40.
Root, who made his debut in 2012 against India in Nagpur, reached the hundred in 163 balls with the help of seven boundaries.
The day was highlighted by a remarkable outburst in the Sri Lankan dressing room by coach Mickey Arthur who seemingly forgot cricket’s laws when he remonstrated about a catch that was given as ‘not out’.
The ball had clearly been edged into the ground before rebounding onto the glove and to the fielder.
One-hand, one-bounce catches don’t count in Test cricket, Mickey!
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