Joe Root not only became Australia’s first Test hundred, he also produced the “best innings of his life” on the opening day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, according to Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton.
Still recovering from a two-day loss to Australia in the series opener in Perth, Ben Stokes’ side looked to be in dire straits again when Root came on as a substitute at 5-2.
But England’s all-time leading run-scorer achieved his sublime 40th hundred in Test cricket, ending the day with 135 not out as the tourists closed on 325-9 at The Gabba.
“It’s been a long time,” Atherton said on Sky Sports Cricket’s Ash Daily podcast, looking back at Root’s 13 and 16 Test years leading up to his first Test century for Australia.
“Seeing his reaction when he turned 100, I thought it was a great theatrical moment.
“The whole ground was on his side, the Australians, the British, and 10 years of disappointments were put aside.
“Root’s reaction was pretty funny, almost like he was apologizing for taking so long to get 100.”
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Zak Crawley paid tribute to England’s ‘humble’ Joe Root after finally scoring his first Test century on Australian soil
Atherton added: “The most important thing for him is to score important points at important times. He was hitting the 16th pitch of a 5-2 inning and could have made a terrible mistake.”
“Mitchell Starc knocked (Ben) Duckett and (Olly) Pope back for a duck, which brought back all the memories of Perth, but then England’s best run-getter played the innings of his life, because here everything is at stake.
“Listen to Ben Stokes, he was asked that question as he lifted the toss, ‘Is this your most important game as England captain?’ He said it was, and we’ve never needed Root more.”
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Michael Atherton talks about Harry Brook’s poor shot selection that led to another frustrating dismissal in England’s second Ashes Test against Australia
Stokes and Root were targeted by the Australian press before the series, with Stokes being called “England’s cocky captain grumbler” and Root an “average Joe” in The West Australian.
Root’s pitching innings should end such headlines about him, at least for now.
“He was far from your average Joe today,” Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain said on the podcast. “Let me be clear: he is one of the best batsmen England has ever had and he was the right player for that day and that moment.
“I don’t often get nervous when I watch modern cricket, but I was nervous today.
“He’s had 39 tests to date and I wasn’t worried about any of them, but I was worried about this one simply because of its importance, the hype and the chat.”
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Nasser Hussain talks about how Zac Crawley bounced back from disappointing performance in England’s first Ashes Test against Australia
Crowley, Stark and Hayden praise Root
Root shared key partnerships with Zac Crawley (76) for 117 points, Harry Brook for 54 points and No. 11 Jofra Archer (32nd) for an unbroken 61 points, helping to swing England’s momentum late in the day.
“It was an incredible knock,” Crowley told reporters in the final moments of the match. When he first came in, the ball was working well, he was very calm and he was also very clear about how he wanted to approach it.
“All things considered, it has to be one of his best.”
Starc, who impressed once again for Australia with six wins and 71 losses, taking his series tally to an astonishing 16 wickets, also praised Root’s knock at the stumps.
“I’m sure he’ll be relieved if he gets 100 points,” Stark said. “He played great today, assessed the conditions, absorbed the pressure and delivered results by the end of the day.”
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Matthew Hayden has a message for Joe Root after his century in the second Ashes Test. Video credit: ECB
The Australian player most relieved that Root finally reached triple figures for his home country was former Test opener Matthew Hayden. He had vowed to take a nude lap around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if the English drought continued beyond this series.
“It took me a while, but there was literally no player with more skin in this game than me,” Hayden said in a message posted on England’s social media channels.
“I was rooting for you $100 in a good way. Congratulations, little Ripper, enjoy the beauty and bloody fun.”
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
always UK and Ireland
1st Test (Perth): Australia beat England by 8 wickets 2nd Test (day/night): Thursday 4th December – Monday 8th December (4am) – The Gabba, Brisbane 3rd Test: Wednesday 17th December Days of the week – Sunday 21 December (11:30pm) – Adelaide Oval 4th Test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11:30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground 5th Test: Sunday 4 January – Thursday 8 January (11:30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
