Root gets his long awaited 100 in Australia as England has the edge on day1 of 2nd test

 



Joe Root finally has a Test century in Australia. It took him 30 innings, but his unbeaten 135 off 202 balls came when England needed calm and authority after trailing 1–0 in the Ashes. His effort guided England to 325/9 on the opening day of the pink-ball Test—a total no side has ever defended unsuccessfully in day-night Tests.

England could have pushed higher on a fair surface, but Mitchell Starc’s brilliance kept them in check. The left-arm quick, lethal under lights, claimed 6 for 71 and surpassed Wasim Akram’s 414 wickets. It was his sixth five-for in day-night Tests; no one else has more than two.

England’s start was shaky. Starc removed Ben Duckett in the first over and Ollie Pope soon after, leaving Root to walk in at 7 for 2 with the ball jagging around. A brief early scare aside, he settled quickly.

Zak Crawley, returning to form after a pair in Perth, played with discipline and confidence, adding 117 with Root to steady England. Michael Neser, a surprise pick ahead of Nathan Lyon, broke the stand with a sharp short ball that ended Crawley’s innings.

Harry Brook provided flashes of aggression before edging Starc under the lights, and Ben Stokes followed via a needless run-out—Root’s 13th partner dismissed in that manner, equalling Geoffrey Boycott’s record. England then slipped from 176/3 as Jamie Smith fell to a superb Boland nip-backer and Starc cleaned up the lower middle order.

Australia expected a declaration at nine down, but Root and Jofra Archer counter-attacked boldly, adding 61 off 44 balls—the highest tenth-wicket partnership in day-night Test history.

Root was the constant throughout: composed early, assertive late, and technically assured in between. By shelving risky strokes and controlling the innings’ tempo, he ensured England held firm control on a crucial first day at the Gabba.


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