Boycott hails 'fellow Yorkshireman' Root for 'beautiful' Test century at Headingley 'home' Test

English cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott has praised upcoming cricketer Joe Root, saying that he had played 'beautifully' after he scored a maiden Test hundred, against New Zealand, at his Headingley home ground.

Root's 104, his first century in his sixth match at this level, also saw him become the first Yorkshireman to score his inaugural Test ton at the club's Headingley headquarters in Leeds, northern England, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

According to the report, Root's fifth-wicket partnership of 124 with Yorkshire colleague Jonny Bairstow (64) helped England reach 337 for seven at the close of the second day after Friday's total washout.

Hailing Root, Boycott said that Root had displayed a beautiful performance, adding that he and his teammates at Yorkshire had always felt that since Root was 15, they had a good player, who had what it takes to be pretty special.

Boycott, who scored his 100th first-class hundred at Headingley during a Test against Australia in 1977, further said that Root has a good touch, footwork and plays the ball late, adding that it always helps a player to play at his home ground as he is used to the pace.