Joe Root scored his maiden Test century in Australia as England reached 325/9 on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
England’s star batter Joe Root finally scored his maiden Test century on Australian soil, guiding his team to 325/9 at stumps on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday.
Root was outstanding throughout the day, remaining unbeaten on 135 off 202 balls* with 15 fours and a six. He was well supported by Jofra Archer, who played a lively knock of 32 off 26 balls*, smashing a four and two sixes.
Strong finish despite wickets falling
England ended the day strongly thanks to a rapid 61-run unbeaten partnership for the 10th wicket between Root and Archer. Their stand is now the highest 10th-wicket partnership in day-night Test cricket, beating the previous record of 59 set by Tom Blundell and Blair Tickner in 2023.
Before this late rally, Australia kept chipping away. Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers, taking a brilliant 6-wicket haul (6/71)-his 18th in Test cricket and second in this Ashes series.
How the day unfolded
England started the final session at 196/4, with Root on 68 and captain Ben Stokes on 14. Stokes soon fell for 19 after a sharp direct hit from Josh Inglis. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was then bowled for a duck by Starc.
Root kept England going, moving into the 90s with three boundaries in an over from Brendan Doggett. In the 66th over, he reached his long-awaited century in Australia, taking 181 balls to get there. It was his 40th Test ton and came after 30 innings in the country.
Root also became only the second Englishman after Maurice Leyland to score a century on the opening day of a Test at the Gabba. Overall, he is now the eighth England batter to record a Test hundred at the venue.
Earlier in the day
England recovered well after losing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope early to Starc. Zak Crawley (76) and Root added a solid 93-run stand, steadying the innings. England reached 98/2 at lunch.
Brief Scores:
England 325/9 (Zak Crawley 76, Joe Root 135, Jofra Archer 32; Mitchell Starc 6/71) vs Australia
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