Brisbane Test (D/N): Heroics of Root, Starc headline Day 1
What's the story
The opening day of the 2nd Ashes Test between Australia and England at The Gabba, Brisbane, was eventful. Joe Root's incredible century, his first Down Under, powered England to 325/9 in the pink-ball affair. An unbeaten 61-run stand between Root and Jofra Archer for the final wicket bolstered England. Mitchell Starc's six-wicket haul earlier perturbed England, who elected to bat on a spicy deck.
Start
Fiery start from Starc
Mitchell Starc once again dazzled with the pink ball, giving Australia a breakthrough in the first over. He sent Ben Duckett back for a golden duck. While Michael Neser started the proceedings with Starc, the latter removed Ollie Pope for a three-ball duck in his next over. Starc was on fire as Zak Crawley and Root joined forces.
Crawley
Crawley shines with counter-attacking half-century
Although the Australian seamers looked threatening with the pink ball, Crawley wasn't dragged on the back foot. He smashed boundaries against all Starc, Neser, Scott Boland, and Cameron Green. Partnering with Root, the England opener brought up his half-century in the 21st over. However, Neser broke the partnership by removing Crawley in the 28th over. The latter's 93-ball 76 had 11 fours.
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Crawley joins these names
According to Cricbuzz, Crawley now has the third-highest individual score for England openers after a pair in the previous Test. He is only behind Michael Atherton (108 vs SA, 1999) and Geoff Pullar (83 vs India, 1961).
Proceedings
England touch 200 despite losing wickets
England didn't crumble immediately after a 117-run stand between Crawley and Root. Harry Brook came out with a positive intent and smashed a 33-ball 31 (4 fours) before falling to Starc. While Root held his fort, England propelled past 170, losing four wickets. Ben Stokes helped England touch the 200-run mark thereafter. However, he was involved in an untimely run-out, leaving England at 210/5.
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England avoid another potential collapse
England were staring at a collapse, at 211/6, with the early departure of Jamie Smith. Boland knocked him over for a two-ball duck. However, a handy knock from Will Jacks (19) gave Root the cushion to chase his century. With this, England raced past 250.
Century
Root's maiden Test century in Australia
Root brought up his special century in the 66th over, bowled by Boland. He reached the milestone off 181 balls. Root, now the proud owner of 40 Test hundreds, slammed one for the first time on Australian soil. He was devoid of a Test century Down Under for 159 matches. The 291st innings of Root's career finally made him attain the feat.
Record
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).
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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.
Partnership
Root-Archer stand batters Australia
With England down to 264/9 in the final hour, Australia sensed a declaration. As it turned out, the visitors unleashed Bazball, with Jofra Archer smashing fours and sixes off Boland. Root too upped the ante as England raced past 320. While both Archer (32* off 26 balls) and Root (135* off 202 balls) returned unbeaten, England will resume from 325/9.
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Record stand in pink-ball Tests
Root and Archer have already added 61 runs, now the highest 10th wicket partnership in a Day-Night Test, according to Cricbuzz. They surpassed Tom Blundell and Blair Tickner, who added 59 runs against England in Mount Maunganui in 2023.
Starc
Sixth fifer in pink-ball Tests
While a final-wicket stand bolstered England, Starc finished Day 1 with 6/71 in 19 overs. Starc recorded his sixth five-wicket haul in Day-Night Tests. No other bowler has more than two fifers with the pink ball. With 85-plus scalps, Starc is the highest wicket-taker in Day-Night Test history. Overall, Starc claimed his 18th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Milestone
Most successful left-arm pacer in Tests
With his third wicket, Starc unlocked a massive achievement in the Test format. He became the most successful left-arm seamer (Tests), going past the legendary Wasim Akram. Starc surpassed Akram with his 415th wicket. The former Pakistan speedster took 414 wickets from 104 Tests at an average of 23.62. He owns 25 fifers and 5 match hauls of 10 wickets.