WATCH: Joe Root’s century turns personal with heartfelt tribute to Graham Thorpe

In a Test match filled with drama, skill, and pressure, Joe Root added a deeply human layer to the cricketing theatre on Day 4 at The Oval. The former England captain scored a flawless century, his 39th in Tests, and celebrated it not with his usual understated calm, but with a powerful tribute to his late mentor, Graham Thorpe.

Root reached the milestone with his trademark ease, stroking a single off the pads to bring up the three-figure mark in front of a buzzing Oval crowd. But what followed was far more than just a century celebration. He took out a white headband from his pocket, placed it on his forehead, and looked towards the sky, a silent, moving tribute to Thorpe, who passed away in 2024.

Graham Thorpe, the gritty former England batter and coach, was more than just a mentor to Root. During Root’s formative years in the England setup, Thorpe served as a batting coach and guide, shaping Root’s technique, mindset, and temperament. The headband was a symbolic nod to Thorpe’s iconic 2002 Test innings at The Oval, where he famously wore one while crafting a defiant century against India. On Sunday, Root mirrored that moment, not just in visuals, but in spirit.

The crowd, already on their feet for the hundred, erupted into louder applause upon witnessing the tribute. Many fans in the stands also wore white headbands, a gesture encouraged by the ECB in honour of Thorpe’s legacy.

As for the innings itself, it was vintage Root. Graceful drives, calm footwork, and a quiet dominance over both pace and spin, a perfect example of why he’s considered one of the game’s modern greats. His partnership with Harry Brook powered England’s fourth-innings charge towards the 374-run target.

But beyond the scorecard, Root’s knock stood as a reminder of the deeper connections that thread through cricket. It wasn’t just about runs, it was about memory, gratitude, and legacy.