After scoring double ton, Joe Root acknowledges the England fan who waited for 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his countrymen play

Cricket fraternity has often witnessed the madness of some fans who can go to any lengths to meet their favourite players or watch them play live. Rob Lewis is one such admirer of the England cricket team as he survived in Sri Lanka for a span of ten months just to watch England lock horns against Sri Lanka in a Test series.

The England cricket team was scheduled to play against Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series in March 2020. However, England had to return back home without playing a single game due to a sudden outbreak of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the island nation.

Sri Lanka Cricket and England and Wales Cricket Board finally decided to host the impending tour but behind closed doors in a biosecure bubble to ensure the safety of the players. The two-match Test series commenced on January 14 at Galle International Stadium with no spectators.

Despite the bio-bubble, Rob managed to get a glimpse of England players as he was granted special permission to be present in the stadium for half an hour before the game. After the promised time was over, the fan was asked to leave by the police and his dream of watching the game live, for which he waited for ten months remained unfulfilled.

“I am very frustrated. I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out. At least I managed to sing ‘Jerusalem’,” Lewis had said.

Rob Lewis finally witnessed the England team playing against Sri Lanka

However, the sacrifices made by the England-based web designer didn’t go in vain as hours after getting pushed out from the stadium, he returned to another area of the fort further from the ground, but still with a view of the game.

“Back on the Fort because I work here now,” he said on Twitter without giving an explanation

Rob Lewis then lived the moment of his life as England skipper Joe Root took note of this die-hard fan for the English tea. Root acknowledged the presence of Lewis by waving to Lewis when he reached his double-hundred on the Day 3 of the marquee game.

This was no less than a dream for the fan who waited for months to witness his favorite stars play. The video of the same floated on Twitter.

Root scoring 200 and waving to Randy Caddick, an England fan waiting for 10 months for the tour to happen, is why you have to love cricket pic.twitter.com/Cw9uGF6r8F

— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) January 16, 2021