Joe Root finally scores an Ashes century for England in Australia, and makes it a big one

By Canadian Press on December 4, 2025.

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Joe Root has finally scored a hundred in an Ashes test for England in Australia, checking off one of the few milestones missing from his impressive cricket CV.

Test cricket’s No. 1-ranked batter ended a 15-test century drought Down Under dating to 2013 when he reached triple figures on Thursday in the first night session of the second test at the Gabba.

Root is on his fourth Ashes tour to Australia, where his previous highest test score was 89.

He scored 0 and 8 in the eight-wicket loss in the series-opener in Perth last month, increasing the pressure on his form.

“Even Australians have to admit he is a great now,” former England captain Alastair Cook said on broadcaster TNT Sports.

Root was 88 not out at drinks midway through the night session. He moved into the 90s for the first time in Australia with a boundary off Brendan Doggett. He hit another boundary next ball to go to 96.

With Root on 98, Will Jacks chased a wild shot against Mitchell Starc and was out for 19 to end their 40-run stand. England was 251-7.

Not to be outdone again, Root reached the century with a legside boundary against Scott Boland, kissed the badge on his batting helmet and held up his bat to celebrate the milestone in front of a capacity crowd of 37,117 at the Gabba.

The England and Wales Cricket Board wrote on X: “No doubt before. No doubt now. A true great of the game.”

It was Root’s 40th century in his 160th test. He is already the second highest run-scorer in history. His 13,600-plus test runs are second only to India great Sachin Tendulkar.

Root went to the crease in the third over with England reeling at 5-2 after Starc’s opening burst.

The 34-year-old Root reached his half-century from 83 deliveries and his breakthrough century off 181 balls.

He shared vital, innings-building partnerships of 117 with Zac Crawley (76), 54 with Harry Brook (31) and 44 with Ben Stokes. He and No. 11 Jofra Archer shared an unbroken 61-run stand to take England to 325-9 at stumps.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

John Pye, The Associated Press