Trisha Ghosal in London
Wearing Graham Thorpe’s trademark headband, Joe Root dedicated his century to his friend and mentor. With a century to his name and his side on the cusp of a dramatic win, Root came to the press conference. His partnership with Harry Brook was the moment England turned the tide, counter-punching India into submission in a Bazball-fuelled blitz.
But as conditions changed and the ball began to jag around, India stormed back only for rain and bad light to halt what had become a breathless finish. Root, who paid a deeply personal tribute to his late mentor Thorpe after reaching his hundred, spoke about the emotional weight of the moment, Brook’s game-breaking knock, and the challenge that awaits with four wickets left to fall and 35 runs to get.
“Frustrated I didn’t finish the job”
Joe Root might have scored one of his most meaningful hundreds and dedicated it to Thorpe, but his dismissal left him visibly gutted. “At 100 not out, you don’t expect that from yourself,” Root admitted. “It was more frustration than anything. After the rain break, they bowled really well. I just mis-executed.”
“He’s ready if needed”: Woakes may still bat
Asked whether Chris Woakes, struggling with injury, would bat if needed on Day 5, Root said: “You probably saw him and his wife in the dressing room, he’s all in like the rest of us. He even had throwdowns earlier. It’s that kind of series where guys are putting their bodies on the line.”
“Thorpey gave so much to this team”
Root’s celebration, wearing Thorpe’s signature headband, was a tribute to his former mentor. “It was emotional. That was from all of us. He meant so much to this team and to English cricket. The amount of love and support for his family this week has been special.”
“Brook played an incredible knock”
Root also hailed Brook’s game-changing 111, calling it “an incredible knock.” He added, “We’re very different players, but we complement each other well. It was remarkable watching him take the game away like that.”
“Siraj’s got fake angriness, I see right through it”
In a lighter moment, Root praised Siraj as a “warrior” but joked, “He’s got this fake angriness about him, I can see right through it. He’s a lovely lad who gives everything for India. Great competitor, great cricketer.”
With 35 runs needed and four wickets standing in the way, Root signed off: “We’re in for something special tomorrow.”
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