Joe Root dedicated his 33rd Test century to his late mentor Graham Thorpe, who passed away earlier this month at age 55 after struggling with depression. Root's historic innings of 143 against Sri Lanka at Lord's not only equaled Alastair Cook's record for the most Test centuries by an Englishman but also served as an emotional tribute to Thorpe, who significantly influenced his career. Reflecting on Thorpe's support, Root noted that he saw potential in him early on and advocated for his selection in key matches, including the England Lions. Root expressed deep gratitude for Thorpe’s contributions to his game and described him as someone he would deeply miss. In a touching moment, Root gestured to the sky upon reaching his century, emphasizing the bond they shared both on and off the field. England finished Day 1 of the second Test at 358-7, largely due to Root's pivotal innings.