Joe Root scored a match winning hundred against New Zealand as he became only the second Englishman and 14th cricketer in the history of Test cricket to reach the 10,000-run mark.
Root, who stepped down as England Test captain in April, scored a gritty century and remained unbeaten on 115 to set up a five-wicket victory for his side.
While the former England captain’s stunning achievement received widespread praise, it was a freaky video of Root standing at the non-striker’s end that has gone viral.
“I knew @root66 was talented but not as magic as this……. What is this sorcery?” wrote a Twitter user, sharing a video of Root’s bat standing on its own.
Seriously is that bat holding itself up or is Joe Root even more of a magician?? @BumbleCricket @root66 #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/bcHVvPngY4
Ok… apparently Root now has flat-bottomed bats, not slightly curved as per usual. https://t.co/ECL87LGevd
Joe Root scored an unbeaten 115 in the Lord’s Test to help England beat New Zealand by five wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
His magnificent century rescued them from a score of 69/4 as they chased down 277 at Lord’s to seal a win in Ben Stokes‘ first match as England’s Test captain.