WC 2015 ENG vs SL: Joe Root becomes youngest England batsman to score World Cup hundred

Wellington: Joe Root became the youngest England batsman to make a World Cup hundred with 121 against Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday.

The 24-year-old's innings saw him beat the record of David Gower, who was 26 when he posted a hundred against Sri Lanka at Taunton during the 1983 edition.

Root scored a six and a four off successive Angelo Mathews deliveries to bring up his century at exactly a run-a-ball after England won the toss and elected to bat in this Pool A clash.

He was eventually out lbw trying to reverse-sweep left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. Root reviewed Bruce Oxenford's decision but, with tracking technology showing the ball clipping leg stump, the Australian umpire's original verdict was upheld to leave England 265 for six in the 47th over.

Root faced 108 balls, including 14 fours and two sixes. His was England's second hundred of the 2015 World Cup after opener Moeen Ali made 128 against Scotland.

However, Root had made just two when he was dropped by experienced slip fielder Mahela Jayawardene off Sri Lanka captain Mathews. Root's innings was the cornerstone of England's 309 for six, their highest total of this tournament so far.

"It's a decent score. Joe Root played very well and once he got his hundred he went after it," said Jayawardene at the mid-innings break.