Joe Root dedicates record-equalling century to late mentor Graham Thorpe

Former England captain Joe Root has dedicated his record-equalling 33rd Test century to his former mentor and friend, the late Graham Thorpe, who tragically took his own life earlier this month. 

Root’s emotional tribute came as he reached the milestone, drawing level with former captain Alastair Cook for the most Test centuries by an England player.

His century, which contributed 143 runs to England’s score, helped the team recover from a challenging position of 130/4 to end the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at 358/7.

In his post-match comments, Root expressed deep gratitude for Thorpe’s influence on his career. 

"I've been very lucky to work with a lot of people, whether it be senior players, coaches, mentors, and Thorpey was one of those people who offered me so much," Root said.

Thorpe, who played a significant role in the evolution of Root’s batting, had been a constant presence in Root’s cricketing life. Root recalled their first meeting during a second-team game in 2010, and how Thorpe's guidance and support helped him refine his game, particularly against spin and pace. 

"It was nice to be able to think of him [Thorpe] in that moment. He's someone I'm sorely going to miss, and who I owe a lot to. He put a lot into my game, into my career, and without his help I definitely wouldn't be where I am now," he said.

"The first time I came across him was a second-team game at Stamford Bridge for Yorkshire against Surrey [in 2010]," Root said. "The following year, I made my way into the County Championship team and he was involved with the England Lions. Before I'd even made a hundred at first-class level, he picked me for a Lions game against Sri Lanka at Scarborough.

"He saw something with me, and pushed hard for me to go away that winter and worked with him. We worked tirelessly on my game against spin - being able to get close to the ball, get away from it, utilising different sweeps - and also against pace... working very hard to make sure that those areas of the game which are different to county cricket, you are up to speed with," the former England captain recalled.

Thorpe’s influence extended beyond Root’s early career, as he played a crucial role in Root’s debut in England’s 2012 tour of India, a move Thorpe had advocated for. 

"You're always having to evolve as a player, and you need people that you can bounce ideas off, people that can take pressure off you in different ways, and know how to talk to you when things aren't going well - and also when they are going well. I was very lucky to have someone like him... he was the one guy that was constant throughout that 10, 11, 12-year period.

"I could go to him under pressure, and I have a really good understanding of my own game and it evolved into more: I became good friends, and I really enjoyed spending a lot of time with him. It was nice to pay a small tribute. It's nothing, but he means a lot to me - and that was a small thank you."

Root admitted to feeling a bit of tension as he approached his century, but was relieved to finally achieve the milestone. "I was a little 'twitchy' when stuck on 99 for a dozen deliveries, but it was a relief to cross the line," he said.

In addition to his personal tribute, Root also voiced support for England’s stand-in captain, Ollie Pope, who has struggled with form in the series. Root dismissed concerns about the pressure on Pope, stating, "It's so easy to make it something when it isn't at all," Root said. 

"He seems to be in a really good place with it. That's more of a storyline for [the media] to play around with. For him, it's business as usual, go out there and play in the manner that has given him so much success."