In a pulsating start to the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, England captain Joe Root authored a career-defining innings, scoring his first-ever Test century on Australian soil to drag his side to a competitive total of 325 for nine on day one.
Root's Redemption and Starc's Fury
The day began in nightmare fashion for the tourists, with Mitchell Starc producing another ferocious new-ball spell. The Australian left-armer reduced England to five for two within the first quarter of an hour, removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks. The pressure was immense when Joe Root walked to the crease, and it nearly intensified further; he was dropped on just two by Steve Smith in a difficult chance.
From that moment, Root played a chanceless and commanding innings. He meticulously rebuilt the innings alongside Zak Crawley, who made a vital 76. Root's milestone moment came at 8.38pm local time, when he guided Scott Boland for four to reach his 40th Test hundred. It was an innings of immense discipline and significance, finally filling the only notable gap in his illustrious batting record.
England's Self-Inflicted Wounds and Late Flourish
Despite Root's heroics, England's progress was repeatedly checked. Starc was the chief destroyer, finishing with excellent figures of six for 71. The tourists also suffered from costly errors, including the run-out of captain Ben Stokes and a loose dismissal from Harry Brook after the dinner break.
Just as it seemed England would be bowled out for under 300, the final wicket pair produced a stunning counter-attack. Jofra Archer, playing as a specialist batter, smashed two sixes and a four in a blistering cameo of 31 not out. His unbroken last-wicket stand of 61 with Root transformed the innings, pushing the total past 325 and swinging the day's momentum decisively back towards England as the Barmy Army found its voice.
A Pivotal Day in the Ashes Context
This was a day of huge psychological importance. After being dominated in the first Test in Perth, England desperately needed a statement of resilience. Root's unbeaten 135 provided exactly that, offering his team a crucial foothold in the match and the series.
The scorecard tells the story of a day of stark contrasts: Starc's six-wicket haul versus Root's majestic century; early English collapse versus a defiant final-wicket stand. At stumps, with Root still at the crease and a total exceeding 300 on the board, England will feel they have emerged from one of the most intense days of Ashes cricket with a genuine chance.
