Joe Root sets records with maiden Test century in Australia
What's the story
The wait is over! England's Joe Root finally has a Test century Down Under. Root, who raced to his 40th Test hundred, has reached three figures for the first time on Australian soil. He unlocked the achievement on Day 1 of the 2nd Ashes Test, a day-night affair, at The Gabba, Brisbane. Root's unbeaten knock at stumps saw England get to 325/9.
Knock
Root defies odds in Brisbane
Root came to the middle after England were in trouble with twin dismissals (5/2). While a fiery Mitchell Starc made England pay with the pink ball, Root firmly stood his ground. His 117-run stand with Zak Crawley rescued England in time. After Crawley's departure, Root nearly single-handedly carried England. He returned unbeaten on 135 (202). Jofra Archer (32*) is batting alongside Root.
Milestone
Root makes history Down Under
Root, England's most successful batter across formats, has ticked another box. He was devoid of a Test century Down Under for 159 matches. The 291st innings of Root's career has finally made him attain the feat. Overall, Root raced to his fifth century in The Ashes, with four of them coming on English soil. His previous-highest Test score in Australia was 89 (Brisbane, 2021).
Century
40th Test ton for Root
Overall, Root completed his 40th century in Test cricket. He became only the fourth player to touch the 40-century mark in the format, joining Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), and Ricky Ponting (41). Root also has 66 half-centuries to his name in the format. Only one other Englishman has 30-plus Test tons - Alastair Cook (33).
Information
Multiple tons in pink-ball Tests
According to ESPNcricinfo, Root became the first player with multiple centuries for England in Day-Night Tests. He scored 136 in the 2017 Birmingham Test against West Indies. Notably, Cook remains the only other Englishman with a ton in pink-ball Tests.
Records
Root sets these records
According to Cricbuzz, Root became the eighth player to slam a Test ton for England at The Gabba. He is the second English player with a century on Day 1 of a Gabba Test, joining Maurice Leyland (1936/37). Root took 30 innings for his maiden Test hundred in Australia. Ian Healy, Bob Simpson, Gordon Greenidge, and Steve Waugh are ahead of him.
Numbers
Other notable numbers for Root
According to Cricbuzz, Root scored the most runs by an England batter on Day 1 of a Test in Australia since Michael Vaughan, who slammed 177 at Adelaide Oval in 2002. Notably, Root also became the seventh batter with 2,500-plus runs in The Ashes for England. The former England skipper also completed 1,000 Test runs in Australia. Root currently owns 13,686 Test runs.