Joe Root declared that it is his time to pay back Test skipper Ben Stokes, who did so much for him while serving as his deputy during his captaincy tenure that lasted from 2017 to 2022.
Joe Root scored his 35th Test century as he went past the legendary trio of Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara and Younis Khan, who had made 34 centuries in their career.
England's Joe Root paused as he left the field to salute all four corners of the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday after making a fine 160 in the fifth Ashes Test.
Joe Root hit a maiden Test century on his home ground at Headingley and county colleague Jonny Bairstow chipped in with 64 to leave England on top at 337 for seven in the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Former skipper Root and Jonny Bairstow smashed unbeaten centuries against India to chase down 378 and win the tie.
The swashbuckling 26-year-old has accepted during this series that he needs to better rein in his natural aggression.
IMAGES from Day 3 of the second Test between England and Sri Lanka, at Lord's, on Saturday.
With two days still to play, England are firm favourites to secure the win in Manchester, one that would seal victory in the five-match series with one test still to come.
Joe Root now finds himself second only to Tendulkar in the list of all-time Test run-getters as he reflected on the Indian maestro's legacy his own journey as a youngster inspired by the Indian icon.
Root said that it is amazing being a "second fiddle" to Brook and watching his fine shotmaking from the "best seat in the house".
'They're all going to score because they are naturally gifted players but the real high-risk way of playing, I'm afraid it hasn't worked.'
On a tense Day 4 at The Oval, the England batter blazed his way to a 98-ball century, dragging his team back into the contest and into the history books.
Joe Root and Harry Brook's centuries powered England's strong reply on Day 3 of the first Test in Multan.
Joe Root was earmarked as a future England captain from the day he made his Test debut in 2012 and after scoring a bucket-load of runs he duly landed the job just over four years later.
'I'm sure he will want to entertain the local crowd. I think it is set up nicely for him, but you have still got to go and do it.'
IMAGES from Day 1 of the opening Ashes Test played between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday.
His 454 run-partnership with Harry Brook is the fourth-highest in Tests and Root said his fellow Yorkshireman was 'outstanding' with his triple-ton.
Root helped kick off England's sparkling run under Stokes by scoring a mountain of runs against New Zealand and India in the home summer.
Root said he wanted to keep the focus on salvaging some pride from the remainder of the tour
Captain Cook also hits form, strikes 125-run opening partnership with Trott -- England's first century opening stand since March 2013.
Pat Cummins admits he would relish taking the prized wicket of England captain Joe Root in this week's opening Ashes Test in Brisbane even if he had not earned a late promotion into the Australian captaincy.
If history is anything to go by, Leeds always has room for a little magic.
There was never an iota of doubt over Joe Root's class since his 2012 Test debut against India but the 25-year-old Yorkshireman's latest heroics have left many wondering if he is England's best ever batsman across the three formats of the game.
As a traditional innings by Joe Root turned it around for England, Jonny Bairstow lauded his 'talented' teammate following Day 1's play.
Joe Root is willing to bat anywhere in the order to help England claw their way back from a 1-0 deficit in the Ashes series against Australia, the youngster said on Sunday.
It was a bitter pill for James Anderson and England's bowlers, who had battled hard to limit Australia to 267 and give their batsmen a chance to set the home side a chase.
Ben Stokes has stated that he has no designs on the Test captaincy
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 1st Ashes Test played at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday.
Ahead of Wednesday's first Ashes Test in Cardiff, Root expressed his disappointment by posting two messages on Twitter.
England's new Test captain Joe Root will seek to bolster his leadership skills with big scores and has promised to ensure the side are better prepared to defend the Ashes in Australia than they were on the previous trip.
Joe Root was hailed as the 'glue' that holds together England's dazzling batting operation after his superb match-winning century guided the injury-depleted hosts to the most convincing of eight-wicket triumphs over West Indies in Southampton.
Joe Root does not admit to being a natural leader but England's new Test captain says the time spent as Alastair Cook's understudy has groomed him for the responsibility.
England's new Test captain Joe Root said he will try to put his "own stamp" on the team, but will seek advice from former skipper Alastair Cook and the other senior players whenever he needs to.
'I think Stokes would actually grow as a player if he was the captain of that side.'
Root, who has not won any of his three Ashes series in charge, was reluctant to discuss the long-term future of his captaincy after England lost by an innings and 14 runs in the third test in Melbourne.
Some strong performances with the bat will help Joe Root to surge to the top and then potentially strengthen his position in the four-Test series against Pakistan, which begins on 14 July.
Chris Woakes struck a maiden Test century and Jonny Bairstow added 93 as England dominated the third day of the second Test at Lord's on Saturday, reaching 357-6 to open up a significant 250-run lead over India.
Captain Joe Root and Coach Chris Silverwood made a boo-boo when they picked a pace-heavy attack for the pink ball third Test.
England's batsmen failed to take full advantage on a first day of swinging fortunes in the second Test against Sri Lanka, finishing on 310 for six after outstanding catching kept the touring side in contention on Friday.
England, who hold the urn, were dismissed for 233 in their second innings in the opening session of the fifth and final day of the maiden pink ball Ashes Test.