Alastair Cook hailed Joe Root’s “character” as he did his best to keep a lid on expectations of a 5-0 Ashes rout after England’s crushing 347 run-win over Australia in the second Test at Lord’s.
Sunday’s success was a personal triumph for Root, still only 22-years-old and appearing in just his eighth Test.
The Yorkshire opener’s second innings 180 put England in a position of complete control.
Asked if he’d been surprised by Root’s innings England captain Cook said: “To be honest, not with his batting.
“We’ve seen over his very short international career what an outstanding player he is.
“He’s got the right character. It’s a lot about technique but he has the right character to succeed at Test cricket.
“He adapts his game to whatever is required. In a high pressure situation to score a big hundred is huge credit to him,” added Cook, the only England batsman to score 25 Test hundreds.