Joe Root paid an emotional tribute to the late Graham Thorpe, saying that his touching celebration of his 39th test Hundred was a “thank you” for all that his mentor had given English cricket.
Thorpe, which played 100 tests and was one of the decisive formative influences on Root and many other careers of players in England as a coach, died on Monday a year ago.
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Root was a portfolio during his funeral last August and spoke with emotion about his influence on his career and celebrated his life by reaching an exceptional century.
Root slipped the ball into the side of the leg for two to raise its third century from the series, removed its helmet, embraced the three lions badge and lifted its bat. He then removed his gloves and withdrew one of the banners that were on sale this week at the Oval, the Thorpe field, as part of a Surrey and England campaign which made it possible to collect more than £ 150,000 for the mind, the charity of mental health. Root put the headband, hit the logo and cast an emotional look at the sky.
Root revealed that he had only done the headband has been folded from the tea, that he took 98, but added: “I would have liked to have it in my pocket from the start of my sleeves”.
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He said, “This week, it was incredible that Surrey and the ECB recognized everything he did for the English cricket as a player, coach, mentor, a friend, in the cricket game. It was really very good to see the amount of love for him and for his family.
“It is someone who has had a huge impact on my career, and I think that this week the number of love and support that has been for him and his family, all the good who comes from it and all the money that has been collected too. It’s incredible, and it is special that sport can provide this.
Root alongside Thorpe in 2019 after the success of the England World Cup – Getty Images / Gareth Copley
Root admitted that it was “bitterly disappointed” to be returned soon for 105, shortly before the rain and the bad light made an early shock to the conclusion to the oval procedure.
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“I was frustrated not to get us through the line, this is what you are proud of as an experienced dough in this situation. I must be able to absorb the pressure and understand that they are allowed to play well. When you get your opportunities to counter this, you take them.
The game will resume on Monday morning, the wounded Chris Woakes ready to beat for England – if necessary. England only needs 35 points to win, but are six counters.
“It was always going to happen as it was not,” smiles Root. “The first four games are this kind of series, incredible to play and completely appropriate that we will get this kind of finish tomorrow.
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“We are in a very good position with a lot of strikers and two guys who are very capable of bringing us home.
“I would like to think that we have what we need to cross the line tomorrow. It was a hell of a series, a traveling hell and there is confidence in our locker room. We think we have the players to get the line crossing. It is one of those series, five games, six weeks that swung the two ways. I think we are in a big day tomorrow.”
Woakes dislocated his shoulder on the opening day, has not played any role in the game since and faces a long passage on the touch at the end. Nevertheless, he walled tomorrow if necessary.
Woakes suffered his injury by trying to prevent a border on Thursday – PA / Ben Whitley
“He suffers a lot of pain, but that means a huge amount for him,” said Root. “He is ready to put his body into play. I hope he does not have to do so.
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“He was in his whites in the locker room. He is just like the rest of us, it is this kind of game where the guys had to put bodies at stake. I hope it does not happen to that, but he had launch and is ready if necessary.”
