.jpg)
In an emotional tribute, England’s talismanic batter Joe Root dedicated his brilliant century on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s to his late batting mentor, Graham Thorpe, who passed away earlier this month. After reaching the milestone, Root poignantly pointed to the sky, a gesture acknowledging the profound impact Thorpe had on his cricketing journey.
The news of Thorpe’s death sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, particularly within the England team, where Thorpe had been a pivotal figure in nurturing the careers of many current players. Serving as the men’s team’s assistant and batting coach in two separate stints, Thorpe’s influence was widely recognized and cherished. As a mark of respect, the English players wore black armbands during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Manchester.
Joe Root Dedicates 33rd Century to Late Mentor Graham Thorpe
Speaking after his innings, Root expressed how much Thorpe’s guidance meant to him, stating: “I’ve been very lucky to work with a lot of people, whether it be senior players, mentors, coaches, and Thorpey was one of those people that offered me so much. It was nice to be able to think of him at that moment. He’s someone that I’m going to sorely miss. He put a lot into my game, into my career, and without his help, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now.”
Joe Root’s century was crucial for England, as he anchored the innings while others around him struggled to capitalize on their starts. His knock of 143 was instrumental in England’s strong position of 358-7 by the end of the day. Moreover, this century was Joe Root’s 33rd in Test cricket, equalling the record held by Alastair Cook for the most Test centuries by an England player.
Root’s heartfelt dedication to Graham Thorpe serves as a reminder of the deep bonds formed in the cricketing world and the lasting legacy left by those who mentor and inspire.
