Joe Root reached his first Test hundred on Australian soil and produced what Michael Atherton described as “the innings of his life” on day one of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
England, reeling from a heavy two-day defeat in Perth, looked in trouble at 5-2 when Root walked to the crease. The country’s leading run-scorer steadied the innings, finishing the day on 135 not out — his 40th Test century — as England closed on 325-9.
On Sky Sports’ Ashes Daily podcast Atherton said Root’s century, coming after a 13-year, 16-Test wait in Australia, was “a fantastic moment of theatre.” He added that the whole ground, Australians and English alike, rose to applaud and that Root’s reserved response almost felt like an apology for how long it took.
“What matters to him more than anything is scoring crucial runs at a critical time,” Atherton said. Root had to absorb the shock after fast starts from Mitchell Starc, who removed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks, before constructing an innings Atherton called essential given the context: “England’s greatest run-getter played the innings of his life — because everything is on the line here.”
Nasser Hussain, also on the podcast, reflected on the special significance of this hundred. Root had 39 Test centuries previously, “and none of those I was worried about, but I was worried about this one, simply because of its significance, because of the hype, because of the chat.”
Root shared three key partnerships that swung momentum: a 117-run stand with Zak Crawley (76) that laid the platform, 54 with Harry Brook, and an unbroken 61 for the last wicket with No.11 Jofra Archer, who finished 32 not out. Crawley described Root as “calm” and praised how clear his thinking was in the conditions, calling it “one of his best.”
Even opponents paid tribute. Starc, who ended the day with 6-71 and took his series tally to 16 wickets, said Root would be relieved to get his hundred and commended how he assessed the conditions and handled pressure. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden — who had joked earlier that he’d run a nude lap of the MCG if Root’s drought extended — posted a celebratory message: “You little ripper — have a beauty and bloody enjoy it.”
The knock should also silence some pre-match barbs from the Australian press: Ben Stokes had been dubbed “England’s cocky captain complainer” and Root labelled “Average Joe” in the West Australian. Stokes had called this game his most important as England captain, and Atherton underlined how desperately England needed Root’s innings after the Perth collapse.
Ashes series in Australia 2025–26 (UK and Ireland times)
– First Test (Perth): Australia beat England by eight wickets
– Second Test (day/night): Dec 4–8 — The Gabba, Brisbane
– Third Test: Dec 17–21 — Adelaide Oval
– Fourth Test: Dec 25–29 — Melbourne Cricket Ground
– Fifth Test: Jan 4–8 — Sydney Cricket Ground