Joe Root is England’s greatest batter, says Michael Vaughan

Former captain Michael Vaughan says Joe Root is England’s greatest batter after hitting a record 34th Test century for his country.

Root, 33, surpassed Sir Alastair Cook’s tally of 33 Test tons with his second century of the match in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.

The right-hander is also just 96 runs from eclipsing Cook’s record of 12,472 Test runs for England.

“It’s not been through crash, bang, wallop,” said Vaughan, of Root’s technique. “It’s been through pure technique and ability.

“He is the greatest because he’s a wonderful role model as well. He’s a fantastic person and a great player.”

After scoring 143 in England’s first innings against Sri Lanka, Root made a sublime 103 in the second innings to spark the hosts’ push for victory, with Sri Lanka set a record 483 to win before they closed day three on 53-2.

Only six batters have scored more Test runs than Root, with just one – Australia’s Ricky Ponting – having a better strike-rate.

It is that ability to score so easily that marks Root out, according to Vaughan.

“The opposition pretty much always have to have four fielders behind square on the off side because he’s just so good,” Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special.

“You take away four fielders and all of a sudden there are gaps everywhere else.

“He’s just playing normally, rotating the strike without taking any risk. How often do you look up and he has scored 25 in no time at all?”