Watch: Joe Root brought out his trademark reverse ramp shot for a six after reaching his first century for Yorkshire in almost two years, the milestone coming against Derbyshire at Headingley.

Having reached his half-century by the close of play on Day One in Leeds, Root kicked on the following morning. He shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 201 with England teammate Harry Brook and reached three figures off 163 balls. While Root looked far from his busy best – he described the century as a “grind” in his post-play interview – it marks a return to runs after a difficult first part of the county season.

Playing in Yorkshire’s Championship campaign for the first time since 2022, Root reached fifty once in his first four innings and was out before making double figures twice. Against Middlesex last week, Root returned scores of five and 32 in a low-scoring defeat for Yorkshire.

However, once he reached his century at Headingley (his first in the County Championship since May 2022), he found some more fluency. On 111* and facing up to Zak Chappell, he brought out his well known reverse ramp shot. He flipped his stance before the ball had left Chappell’s hand, crouching low with his bat face front on before flicking the ball fine into the air behind square on the off-side. The ball went between the one slip and gully in position and flew over the short boundary for six.

Chappell, however, had the last laugh. After the six came off the first ball of his over, he bowled Root off the first ball of his next over, sending middle stump cartwheeling.

Yorkshire declared shortly after Lunch on Day Two having scored 450-5. Derbyshire reached 190-3 before the close of play, with no play possible so far on Day Three.

Watch: Root reverse ramps for six

He’s done it!

Joe Root reverse scoops over the slips for six pic.twitter.com/68pNnfqlx1

— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 27, 2024

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