It was just a simple tuck around the corner, but the relief it brought carried the weight of 2,213 deliveries. After more than 12 long years, on the very same ground where his Ashes tour journey began as a 22-year-old, Joe Root finally did it. He raised his bat for his first Test hundred in Australia, a milestone that felt like it had been haunting him, the team, and English cricket fans for a decade.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Joe Root finally scored his maiden Test century in Australia after a 12-year wait, ending a long-running narrative.
- ✓ He arrived at the crease with England struggling at 5 for 2, showcasing immense character under pressure.
- ✓ Root's unbeaten 135 guided England to a strong first-day total of 325 for 9 at The Gabba.
- ✓ His crucial 117-run partnership with Zak Crawley, who made a vital 71, stabilized the innings.
- ✓ The century marked his 40th in Test cricket, reinforcing his status as one of the game's modern greats.
The Monkey Off His Back
Let's be honest, this was more than just a century. It was an exorcism. When Root first walked out at The Gabba in 2013, he was the "anointed one," a prodigious talent destined for greatness. And he achieved that greatness, becoming England’s highest Test scorer and the second-highest in the world. Yet, one stubborn, glaring gap remained in his otherwise stellar legacy: a three-figure score on Australian soil.
It became a talking point, a meme, a genuine "thing" that weighed him down. The pressure was immense. Before this Test, one local newspaper, The West Australian, had even branded him "dud Root Down Under" and "Average Joe," mocking his average of 33.33 in the country despite nine half-centuries. The shrug he gave upon reaching the landmark was pure irony, as if to say, "What were you all so worried about?" We were worried, Joe. We really were.
Walking Into the Fire
As if the historical pressure wasn't enough, the match situation was dire. In a throwback to some of the bad old days, Root found himself striding to the middle far earlier than he would have liked. He faced the 16th ball of the match with the scoreboard reading a disastrous 5 for 2. This was his third-earliest entry into an innings in Australia, a nightmare scenario against a fired-up bowling attack with a pink ball.
And things could have ended before they even began. He was on just 2 when Steve Smith parried a tough chance off a searing delivery from Mitchell Starc. The early moments were fraught with anxiety; his movements were frayed, and the usual crispness was absent. It was a period of pure survival, a testament to the ingrained understanding that sometimes, even the best just have to hang on for dear life.
The Partnership That Changed Everything
You see, batting is often a selfish pursuit, but this innings was built on a partnership that benefited the whole team. While Root was battling his inner demons and Starc's outswingers, Zak Crawley was playing with a freedom that defied his own circumstances. Coming off a pair in the first Test at Perth, Crawley looked completely unfazed, launching a brilliant counter-attack.
Their 117-run stand lifted England off the floor, and it was Crawley who dominated, scoring a blistering 71 of them. This incredible knock allowed Root to operate in his slipstream, to find his feet without having to force the issue. By the time Crawley fell, Root was on 41 and ticking over nicely. He started walking at Scott Boland to mess with his lengths and unfurled those classic drives we all know and love.
Navigating the Chaos
Even with the century in sight, the drama wasn't over. One of the most pivotal moments came with a chaotic mix-up that saw captain Ben Stokes run out. Stokes called for a quick single, not realizing Josh Inglis was closing in with speed. Had Root trusted his captain's call, he would have been the one walking back for 77, and England's innings would have likely collapsed.
It was a moment that showed his composure. While those around him sometimes fell into "dim moments," Root remained the adult in the room. He simply put his head down, weathered a 59-ball boundary-less period under the lights, and continued his relentless march toward the milestone that had eluded him for so long.
More Than a Score: An Emotional Release
When the hundred finally came, the emotion was palpable, and nowhere was it more evident than in the reaction of Ben Stokes. As the ball skipped away to the boundary, Stokes could be seen shouting "GO BALL!" before holding back tears. These two have been through it all together on Australian tours, from the disastrous 2013-14 series to the strain of the Covid-era Ashes in 2021-22.
Stokes has felt Root's struggles keenly, and seeing his friend finally conquer this particular mountain must have been immensely satisfying. Of all the things Stokes has overseen as captain, this day—watching Test cricket's second-highest run-scorer simply score more runs when it mattered most—might just be the one that fills him with the most pride.
Some might point out that this century came against an attack missing Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. But in cricket, you play what's in front of you. And what was in front of Root was a career's worth of pressure and a game situation that demanded a hero. He delivered, and then some.
The Freedom After the Fight
Once he crossed that hundred-run mark, it was like a switch flipped. Suddenly, we saw a liberated Joe Root. He began to play with an audacious flair, even nailing a reverse-scoop off Boland for his first-ever six in Australia. It was a clear sign of a man unburdened, playing with the freedom that comes from conquering a long-standing challenge.
This newfound freedom culminated in a joyous, unbeaten 61-run stand for the final wicket with Jofra Archer. It was a partnership that took England from a decent score to a commanding one, completely changing the mood in the dressing room. As Crawley later confirmed, there was "no talk of a declaration." They were going hard, and it paid off beautifully, ensuring England won the final hour of the day.
Conclusion
In the end, this wasn't an innings that "saved" Joe Root's legacy; it was one that reinforced it. He was already England's greatest-ever batter, but this knock filled the only remaining space on his resume. By standing tall when his team was on the ropes and finally getting it done Down Under, he not only silenced the critics but also kept England's The Ashes hopes very much alive. The "dud Root" is dead; long live the King.
