England’s talismanic batter Joe Root dedicated his 33rd Test century to late Graham Thorpe, who recently committed suicide. Root said the former left-hander played an instrumental role in helping him rise through the ranks.

Root scored a fantastic knock of 143 runs off 206 balls against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the second Test match at Lord’s on Thursday. The linchpin scored 16 fours in his fine innings in his 33rd Test ton and also equaled former skipper Alastair Cook’s tally of centuries.

None of England’s top seven batters barring Root could go past the 50-run mark. Root was solid as ever and held one end despite losing his partners at regular intervals.

Speaking after the day’s play, Root said, “I’ve been very lucky to work with a lot of people, whether it be senior players, coaches, mentors, and Thorpey was one of those people that offered me so much. It was nice to be able to think of him in that moment. He’s someone that I’m going to sorely miss. He put a lot into my game, into my career, and without his help I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson also scored a fine unbeaten knock of 74 runs and the hosts were in a commanding position of 358-7 at stumps on Day 1 after Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Root added he was very lucky to have a mentor like Graham Thorpe, who guided him on the right track.

“I was very lucky to have someone like him… he was the one guy that was constant throughout that 10, 11, 12-year period. I could go to him under pressure, and I have a really good understanding of my own game and it evolved into more: I became good friends, and I really enjoyed spending a lot of time with him. It was nice to pay a small tribute. It’s nothing, but he means a lot to me – and that was a small thank you.”

Root had also scored a crucial knock of 62 runs in the second innings of the opening Test at Old Trafford, Manchester while chasing 205.