Joe Root emphatically silenced his final critics with a sublime, unbeaten century at The Gabba, a landmark innings that has revived England's Ashes campaign and written his name into the history books. His 135 not out on the opening day of the second Test in Brisbane finally ended a personal 12-year quest for a hundred on Australian soil, providing the platform for a crucial fightback.
A Long-Awaited Australian Milestone
Root's history in Australia has been a story of collective team struggle and personal near-misses. Before this knock, he had played 15 Test matches across 12 years Down Under, suffering 13 defeats and registering zero wins. More strikingly, across all formats including club cricket, he had batted 70 times in 58 matches in the country without ever reaching three figures. This statistical anomaly had become the last asterisk against his otherwise complete legacy as one of England's greatest ever batters.
The significance of the moment was not lost on anyone at the ground. When Root nudged Scott Boland for four to move from 96 to 100, The Gabba erupted. English fans celebrated wildly while many Australians offered respectful applause, all aware they were witnessing a significant piece of Ashes history being forged.
An Innings of Discipline and Adaptation
This was a vintage Root performance, but one that showcased his supreme ability to adapt. Recognising the extra bounce and danger of the Gabba pitch, he shelved his trademark backfoot punch for much of the day, playing straight and within himself. He arrived at the crease with England in deep trouble at 5 for 2 and survived a major scare on just his third ball, when a diving Steve Smith dropped a difficult chance in the slips.
From that precarious position, Root built his innings with characteristic grit and increasing fluency. He carefully navigated the nervous nineties, accelerating with consecutive boundaries to move from 88 to 96. A moment of farce ensued when Will Jacks attempted a risky second run and sent him back, but the dismissal that followed was Jacks's, not Root's. Australia threw everything at him, even bringing wicketkeeper Alex Carey up to the stumps for the final overs, but Root prevailed.
More Than Just Personal Redemption
While the century solidifies Root's individual claim as a batter who can conquer all conditions, the greater prize remains winning an Ashes series in Australia. As he left the field at stumps, he offered a characteristic shrug to the England dressing room, a gesture that spoke of relief, satisfaction, and perhaps a hint of defiance.
The innings has not only cemented his legacy but has dramatically improved England's position in the series. On a day that began with the Ashes hanging by a thread, Root's masterclass has given his team a tangible platform to build upon and a renewed belief that they can compete. He was England's greatest batter before this innings, and he remains so now. The difference is that, after Thursday 04 December 2025 at The Gabba, absolutely no one can argue otherwise.
