Root ends drought with a majestic century to lift England in Brisbane
Root ends drought with a majestic century to lift England in Brisbane
Joe Root ends his Australian century drought with a majestic 100 in Brisbane, shaping a hopeful start for England on day one of the Ashes Test.
Brisbane hosted a tense start to the second Ashes Test as England faced an early, chaotic spell that could have derailed their day. Ben Duckett fell for a golden duck, Ollie Pope chopped on, and a diving Steve Smith in the slips spared Root from a quick-fire dismissal. There was a moment when Crawley could have been deemed unlucky for a hands-away appeal, while Brook’s counter-attack produced a stylish 31, the kind of innings that kept England afloat as the sun began to set on a turbulent opening hour.
Against that backdrop, Joe Root’s patience and class shone through. England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket waited for his moment, moving carefully at first before accelerating as the day wore on. Root finished with 61 from 94 balls before turning the corner with a purpose, taking a measured 88 more deliveries to reach three figures. His hundred, a glorious milestone, arrived in 181 balls and offered a rare beacon of stability for an England side that has often faltered away from home. It was the kind of innings that reminded the cricketing world why Root is considered one of the greats, especially when the spotlight in Australia looms large.
The twilight hour added to the drama: Root’s composed assault stood in sharp contrast to the frenetic start, and his ability to adapt to the varying pace and bounce under lights underscored why this could be a turning point for England. The veteran’s hundred was described as a rare modern moment of joy for English Test cricket in Australia, a reminder of the resilience and craft that have defined his career even on the most challenging tours.
England will hope to convert this foundation into a commanding total as the day progresses, knowing that Root’s innings has given the team something to build on. For a side needing stability and momentum, his hundred offered not just runs but reassurance that England can weather Australia’s pace and pressure. Root would no doubt give it all away for a series-levelling win, and day one’s performance suggested there is still life in this England lineup despite the daunting surroundings in Brisbane.
