BRISBANE — For years, it was the one glaring omission on a CV of cricketing perfection. The narrative, however persistent, was always a little unfair. Yet, as Joe Root finally, gloriously, raised his bat for a Test century on Australian soil at the Gabba, a weight lifted not just from his shoulders, but from the history books themselves.
The former England captain’s majestic, unbeaten 106 in the first Test of the 2025/26 Ashes series was more than just a brilliant innings in a losing cause. It was the final, definitive stamp on a passport to immortality. By conquering the last frontier, Root has silenced the last whisper of doubt and sealed his status as one of the all-time great batters in the history of the game.
The Ghost Laid to Rest
The statistics of Root’s career, even before this innings, were the stuff of legend. Over 12,000 Test runs, an average hovering around 50, 32 Test centuries. Yet, the "but" was always there. But he’d never scored a hundred in Australia. Across three previous Ashes tours down under, the closest he had come was an 89 in Adelaide in 2013. It was a curious anomaly for a player of his calibre.
The Gabba century, however, was a masterpiece of technical excellence and mental fortitude. Coming in at 73-2 after a top-order wobble, he weathered a ferocious opening spell from Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. He left judiciously, defended with a softness of hands that defied the pace and bounce, and punished anything loose with surgical precision.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, commentating at the ground, summed up the moment: "That’s it. The final piece of the puzzle. You can now discuss Joe Root in the same breath as Tendulkar, Lara, and Kallis without any caveats."
Beyond the Numbers: The Root Effect
Root’s greatness has never been solely about aggregates. It is defined by the context and the manner of his runs. In an era dominated by explosive white-ball batting, Root has been the steadfast flag-bearer for the classical Test match virtues. His game is built on a foundation of:
- Impeccable balance: His head remains still, his footwork is precise, allowing him to play both front and back with equal authority.
- The late dab: A signature shot, guiding the ball impossibly late past the slips for runs, a testament to his hand-eye coordination.
- Spin mastery: Perhaps the best player of spin in the world over the last decade, using his feet and wrists to dismantle attacks on the subcontinent.
This century in Australia completes a full set of achievements that few can match. He now has Test hundreds in every country he has played in, against every Test-playing nation, and in all conditions—from the seaming decks of England and New Zealand to the dust bowls of India and Sri Lanka.
The Weight of Leadership and Liberation
It is no coincidence that Root’s most prolific run-scoring has come since he relinquished the England captaincy in 2022. The burden of leading a struggling side, particularly through the traumatic 2021/22 Ashes whitewash, visibly weighed on his batting. The numbers tell a stark story:
- As Captain (2017-2022): Average of 46.44 – excellent, but below his own sky-high standards.
- Since Stepping Down (2022-Present): Average of 58.72, with 10 centuries in 25 Tests.
Freed from the tactical and media pressures of leadership, Root has rediscovered the joy and fluency that marked his early career. He has been the rock of England’s ‘Bazball’ era, providing the consistent, world-class backbone that allows the stroke-makers around him to play with such freedom.
Current England captain Ben Stokes paid tribute after the day's play: "To see him get that hundred, everyone in the dressing room had a massive smile on their face. He’s our champion, and now he’s conquered everywhere. It’s just awesome to watch."
The Pantheon Awaits
Where does this leave Root in the all-time pantheon? The debate is now purely about ranking within the elite, not inclusion. His combination of sheer volume, consistency across a decade, versatility in all conditions, and aesthetic beauty places him firmly in the top echelon of modern batsmen.
Cricket statistician and historian Andy Zaltzman noted: "Root’s achievement is the statistical and symbolic culmination of a career built on adaptability. He doesn’t have the dominant aura of Viv Richards or the sheer weight of Sachin’s records, but for complete, 360-degree batting excellence in the 21st century, he has no peer."
The century also reinforces his standing as England’s greatest ever Test batter. He has surpassed the run tallies of Gooch, Gower, and Pietersen. More importantly, he has done so with a style and grace that embodies the spirit of the game, becoming a role model for a generation of young cricketers.
Conclusion: No More Caveats
The search for the ‘complete’ modern batsman often ends with names like Jacques Kallis or Kumar Sangakkara—players who excelled everywhere. With his Gabba masterpiece, Joe Root has forcefully added his name to that shortlist. The ‘Average Joe’ jibes, the questions about his record in Australia, the discussions about his tenure as captain—all have now been rendered obsolete.
What remains is the pure, unadulterated image of a master at work: a batter of profound skill, unflappable temperament, and now, a resume without a single blemish. Joe Root is not just a great of his era; he is, unequivocally, one of the all-time greats. The century in the Brisbane sun wasn’t just a milestone; it was a coronation.