5 most epic Test innings of 2018

#4 Joe Root and his series-winning 124 against Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka v England: Second Test - Day Three

The English captain had a tough year with the bat. He enjoyed starts but failed to convert them into the hundreds while Kohli and Williamson ran unhindered. Root finally scored a century in the fifth Test against India but he had to prove his form in Sri Lanka where the English team headed next.

Sri Lankan spin legend Rangana Herath had retired by the second Test match but the hosts still had the spin troika of Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya and Malinda Pushpakumara. In the second inning, England trailed by 46 runs. Joe Root walked out to bat at 77/2 with a crystal clear strategy and mindset. He was going to sweep come what may.

Batting with supreme confidence, Root launched a ferocious counter-attack, despite wickets falling at the other end. By the time he was out LBW, Root had plundered 124 runs in 146 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. England had crossed the 300-run mark when the Captain was dismissed and were in safe waters. English spinners later wrapped up the Sri Lankan batting lineup to hand their side a 57-run victory.

Joe Root was rightly adjudged Man of the Match for the series-winning knock.