Joe Root finally ended his long wait for a Test century on Australian soil with a magnificent, unbeaten 135 that hauled England back from the brink on a gripping first day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
A historic knock under pressure
Arriving at the crease with England in dire straits at five for two, the former captain displayed immense skill and resilience to bat through the entire day. He guided his side to a competitive total of 325 for nine by stumps on Thursday, 4th December 2025. This was Root's 40th Test hundred but, significantly, his first in 16 attempts across 13 years playing Test cricket in Australia, a fact that had drawn criticism from local media who labelled him a "dud" before the series.
His celebration was characteristically understated—a gentle shrug and a smile as the Barmy Army roared—but the significance was monumental. With England one-nil down after a heavy defeat in Perth, where Root managed scores of nought and eight, this innings was a defiant answer to his critics and a lifeline for his team's Ashes hopes.
Crawley praises Root's 'inner steel'
Opening batsman Zak Crawley, who played a vital supporting role with 76 in a 117-run partnership with Root, was effusive in his praise for the Yorkshireman. "We were so chuffed for him," Crawley said. "I saw him in the changing room and he was his usual self, so humble... but I'm sure inside he's pretty delighted."
Crawley highlighted the mental strength required to overcome the external noise. "The fact he can put that out and score that hundred shows what a class act he is and how tough he is. Everyone sees the talent but nobody sees the inner steel he's got as well." He ranked the knock among Root's very best, considering the difficult conditions and high stakes.
England's fightback against Starc's fury
Root's masterpiece was all the more impressive given the context of the day's play. Australia's left-arm quick Mitchell Starc was again in devastating form, claiming six wickets to add to his ten-wicket haul in Perth. England's innings was also punctuated by self-inflicted wounds, most notably the run-out of captain Ben Stokes following a misjudged single.
Crawley himself showed commendable character to bounce back from a pair of ducks in the first Test. "I've had plenty of bad games before, so it wasn't too much to bounce back from that," he remarked, adding that he had avoided reading media criticism of his Perth performance.
As the day-night Test moves into its second day, England's total, built almost single-handedly around Root's epic, gives them a fighting chance. All eyes will now be on whether their bowlers can capitalise on the platform built by their record run-scorer's most hard-fought and perhaps most meaningful century yet.
