Stunning Root Ton Takes England Back On Track

July 7, 2017 | SportsGuff Team 940 Reads

Joe Root marked his first innings as England captain with a superb 184 not out against South Africa at the end of Day 1 at Lord's on Thursday.

Root, dropped twice, and Ben Stokes (56) shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 114 to dig England out of a deep hole after they had stumbled to 82 for four at lunch having won the toss in excellent batting conditions. But Root's 12th hundred in 54 Tests and third at Lord's justified his decision to bat first after winning the toss in what was England's first match at this level since he was appointed following Alastair Cook's resignation as skipper in February.

South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander dismissed openers Alastair Cook (3) and Keaton Jennings (8), forcing Root to stride out to the middle with his team reeling at 17 for two. He struck 26 fours and one six, sharing an unbroken partnership of 167 with Moeen Ali, who finished on 61 not out, as runs flowed in the evening sunshine with England on top at the start of the four-test series.