Cricketers of the Week: 2nd July – 9th July

#2 Joe Root

Another century in the first Test of a series

Joe Root emulated his predecessor Alastair Cook by scoring a ton on debut as captain of the England team. There is something about Root and his penchant for big, series-defining knocks early in the series. While Moeen Ali picked up the Man of the Match (will be part of the list next week for sure), it was Root on Day 1 that rescued England.

Extra cover: England vs South Africa 2017, 1st Test: 5 talking points

England were 14 for 1, 17 for 2 and before long, 76 for 4 before Root dug in adding 114 with Ben Stokes (54), and then, a whopping 177 for the sixth wicket with Moeen Ali, who scored 87. Root missed out on a double ton falling on 190, scored in just 234 balls with 27-fours in a great display of counter-attacking cricket.

Broad’s 57 at No.9 pushed England to 458 and after South Africa conceded a 97-run lead, the writing was on the wall.