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'Someone I'm Sorely Going To Miss,' -  Joe Root Dedicates His 33rd Test Ton To Mentor Graham Thorpe

Joe Root hits Test 33rd century [X.com]Joe Root hits Test 33rd century [X.com]

England's star batsman Joe Root dedicated his 33rd Test century to the late Graham Thorpe, paying homage to a mentor who played a pivotal role in shaping his career. Root’s ton came on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, and the moment was steeped in emotion as he looked towards the sky, clearly moved by the memory of Thorpe, who passed away earlier this month. 

This century wasn’t just another addition to Root’s remarkable career; it was a heartfelt tribute to a man who had deeply influenced his journey in cricket.

Root was candid in expressing the profound impact Thorpe had on him, both as a player and as a person. He acknowledged that without Thorpe’s mentorship, he might not have reached the heights he has in his career. 

'He saw something with me,' says Root

"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 stated after his splendid knock of 143 at Lord’s. 

Thorpe’s belief in Root’s abilities was evident early on, as he fast-tracked the young Yorkshireman into the England Lions setup. 

"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 added.

Root recounted their first meeting during a second-team game for Yorkshire, where Thorpe’s keen eye spotted his potential. 

"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," Root recalled. 

This early intervention was crucial, as Thorpe’s technical guidance helped Root become proficient against both pace and spin, crucial skills that would later define his success at the highest level.

England on Day 1 against Sri Lanka

Joe Root’s innings of 143 off 206 balls was not just significant for its technical brilliance but also for the emotional context in which it was played. 

As England reached 358/7 at the close of play, Root’s century stood out as the highlight of the day.