<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sunday’s success was a personal triumph for Root, still only 22-years-old and appearing in just his eighth Test.<br /><br />The Yorkshire opener’s second innings 180 put England in a position of complete control.<br />Asked if he’d been surprised by Root’s innings England captain Cook said: “To be honest, not with his batting.<br /><br />“We’ve seen over his very short international career what an outstanding player he is.<br />“He’s got the right character. It’s a lot about technique but he has the right character to succeed at Test cricket. <br /><br />“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.</p>
<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sunday’s success was a personal triumph for Root, still only 22-years-old and appearing in just his eighth Test.<br /><br />The Yorkshire opener’s second innings 180 put England in a position of complete control.<br />Asked if he’d been surprised by Root’s innings England captain Cook said: “To be honest, not with his batting.<br /><br />“We’ve seen over his very short international career what an outstanding player he is.<br />“He’s got the right character. It’s a lot about technique but he has the right character to succeed at Test cricket. <br /><br />“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.</p>