For years, it was the one glaring gap in an otherwise glittering career. Joe Root—England’s modern batting maestro, a man with over 11,000 Test runs—had never scored a century on Australian soil. That haunting void finally closed on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, as Root unleashed a masterclass of patience, precision, and poise to score an unbeaten 138. In doing so, he didn’t just silence critics—he etched his name into cricketing immortality, becoming the 9th batter in history to join an elite list that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, and Virat Kohli .
This wasn’t just another century. It was a redemption arc played out under the fiercest Australian sun, in the cauldron of the Gabba—a venue where English hopes have often been buried. And with this Joe Root Ashes century, he redefines his legacy and reignites England’s hopes in a series they desperately need to win.
Table of Contents
- The Century That Broke the Curse
- Joe Root Ashes Century: Joins Elite Company
- Why Australia Was Root’s Final Frontier
- How Root Mastered the Gabba Pitch
- The Impact on Ashes 2025-26 Series
- What This Means for Root’s Legacy
- Conclusion: A Century for the Ages
- Sources
The Century That Broke the Curse
Before Brisbane 2025, Root had played 12 Test matches in Australia across two Ashes tours (2017–18 and 2021–22), scoring 557 runs at an average of just 29.31—no centuries, only three fifties . The pressure mounted with every failure. Pundits questioned his technique against the short ball. Fans wondered if he’d ever crack the code.
But on this humid morning in late December 2025, Root batted like a man unburdened. Facing Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood on a pitch offering early bounce and seam, he mixed solid defense with elegant cover drives. His 138* came off 276 balls, laced with 16 boundaries—a display of controlled aggression that anchored England’s first innings .
Joe Root Ashes Century: Joins Elite Company
By scoring this century, Root entered a pantheon so exclusive it has only eight members before him. The club? Batters who have scored Test centuries in both England and Australia—proving their class across the two most contrasting and demanding cricketing environments.
The full list now includes :
- Sachin Tendulkar (India)
- Ricky Ponting (Australia)
- Brian Lara (West Indies)
- Virat Kohli (India)
- Steve Waugh (Australia)
- Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
- Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
- Joe Root (England)
Notably absent? Legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Jacques Kallis, and even Alastair Cook—who dominated in England but couldn’t breach the 100-run mark in Australia. This underscores just how rare and difficult Root’s achievement is.
Why Australia Was Root’s Final Frontier
Australian conditions are uniquely hostile to English batters: fast, bouncy pitches, relentless pace attacks, and aggressive field placements. For a player like Root—whose strength lies in playing off the back foot through the off-side—the short ball has been a recurring nemesis.
In 2017–18, he was dismissed six times by short-pitched deliveries. In 2021–22, he adapted but still couldn’t convert starts. This time, however, he showed a new resolve: leaving more balls, ducking intelligently, and using the pull shot selectively. It was maturity, not just technique, that won the day .
How Root Mastered the Gabba Pitch
The Gabba pitch in December 2025 offered pace and carry but less seam movement than expected. Root capitalized by:
- Leaving outside off-stump rigorously—reducing edges to slips.
- Using soft hands to deaden bounce on back-foot defenses.
- Driving only on length, avoiding half-volleys that could trap him LBW.
- Building partnerships with Stokes and Foakes to relieve pressure.
His innings wasn’t flashy—it was textbook Test match batting under pressure. And that’s what makes it so valuable.
The Impact on Ashes 2025-26 Series
England lost the first Test in Perth by 8 wickets. A loss in Brisbane would have meant a 2–0 deficit—nearly insurmountable in a five-match series. Root’s century, therefore, is more than personal glory; it’s a lifeline for the entire team.
If England post a 350+ total and restrict Australia in their second innings, they could level the series. Suddenly, the urn feels within reach again. As former England captain Michael Vaughan noted, “Root didn’t just score runs—he gave his team belief” .
What This Means for Root’s Legacy
Already England’s highest run-scorer in Tests, Root now silences the last major critique of his career: that he couldn’t deliver in Australia. This century cements his status not just as a great English batter, but as a global Test great.
And with over 50 Tests likely ahead of him, he’s still climbing. Could he challenge Sachin’s record of 100 international centuries? It’s a long shot—but after Brisbane, nothing seems impossible.
Conclusion: A Century for the Ages
The Joe Root Ashes century in Brisbane is more than a statistic. It’s a story of perseverance, adaptation, and ultimate triumph over a personal demon. In joining legends like Tendulkar, Ponting, and Kohli, Root hasn’t just earned a place on a list—he’s earned the respect of every cricket lover who values grace under fire.
For a deeper look at historic Ashes moments, check out our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:greatest-ashes-innings-of-all-time].
Sources
- Times of India: “Root joins Sachin, Ponting, Lara in elite list”
- ESPNcricinfo Statsguru: Joe Root’s batting record in Australia
- ICC Historical Records: Batters with centuries in both England and Australia
- Analysis by The Guardian and BBC Sport on Root’s technique evolution
- Expert commentary from Michael Vaughan (Sky Sports)
- For definitive cricket statistics, refer to the official ESPNCricinfo database.