Alastair Cook congratulates England's 'most complete batsman' as Joe Root joins elite club

Sir Alastair Cook hailed Joe Root as England’s most complete batsman of all-time after he joined an elite club on his way to steering his side to victory in the first Test of the summer against New Zealand at Lord’s.

Root relinquished the captaincy of the Test team following the winter tour of West Indies, passing the baton onto Ben Stokes.

In his first appearance since returning to the rank and file, Root produced a matchwinning innings, registering his 26th Test century, his first in the fourth inning of a match, and went passed the magical 10,000 run mark.

Cook, the only other English batsman to have matched that accomplishment, was watching on from the BBC commentary box and was delighted to have witnessed history being made.

‘I was so glad I was here to witness that. An unbelievable knock by an unbelievable player, in my opinion the most complete England batsman in all forms.’

‘It is absolutely mad that it is exactly the same age,’ added Cook upon learning that he was the same age as Root when he went past 10,000 Test runs. I am happy to call it a draw!’

‘It has all been low risk batting, it’s what makes him one of the greats, he is in control of everything he does. He has looked the part ever since his debut in India in 2012.’

More to follow…