BRISBANE — On a day of immense pressure and high stakes, Joe Root finally exorcised his Australian demons, crafting a magnificent, unbeaten century to single-handedly keep England afloat on a riveting first day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba. His 118 not out, a masterclass in concentration and technique, propelled England to a hard-fought 302 for 6 after being sent in to bat on a green-tinged pitch under overcast skies.
For Root, this innings was more than just runs; it was a monumental personal milestone. Despite being England's all-time leading run-scorer and one of the modern game's great batters, a Test century on Australian soil had remained a glaring omission from his illustrious resume. In three previous Ashes tours down under, he had managed just a single fifty. Here, with his team reeling at 60 for 3 after the early losses of Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, and Dawid Malan, the England captain stood tall, absorbing the pressure and gradually shifting the momentum with a display of supreme skill and determination.
A Captain's Knock Under Siege
The morning session belonged firmly to Australia's pace attack, led by the relentless Pat Cummins and the metronomic Josh Hazlewood. Exploiting the favourable conditions, they asked persistent questions of the English top order. Burns edged Hazlewood to second slip, Hameed fended a Cummins lifter to gully, and Malan, after looking solid, was undone by a beautiful delivery from Mitchell Starc that straightened to take the edge. The Gabba crowd was in full voice, sensing a familiar collapse. At the crease, Root was joined by the ever-combative Ben Stokes, and the pair began the salvage operation.
Their partnership of 85 was critical. Stokes, playing his first competitive cricket since July, rode his luck at times but provided the counter-punching aggression England desperately needed. He struck five boundaries in a brisk 35 before falling to a loose drive off Cameron Green. When Ollie Pope followed soon after, edging Nathan Lyon to slip, England were 147 for 5 and in deep trouble. Through it all, Root remained a picture of calm, meticulously leaving anything outside off-stump and punishing anything straying onto his pads. His fifty came up from 103 balls, a testament to his discipline.
The Century That Silenced the Gabba
The post-lunch session saw Root shift gears beautifully, forming another crucial alliance with wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. As the sun broke through and the pitch eased, Root began to unfurl his full array of strokes. His signature back-foot punches through cover and whip-like flicks off his hips began to flow. The Australian bowlers, for the first time in the day, looked bereft of ideas as Root moved inexorably towards three figures. The moment finally arrived in the final session, a clip off his pads for two runs bringing up his 24th Test hundred. The relief and joy were palpable as he removed his helmet and roared in celebration, a weight visibly lifted from his shoulders.
Speaking after the day's play, a visibly emotional Root reflected on the significance of the innings. "It's something I've dreamed of doing for a long time. To finally get that hundred in Australia, in an Ashes Test, and in the context of the game where we were under pressure, it means a huge amount. It was about staying patient, trusting my game, and cashing in when the opportunities came."
Buttler played the perfect foil, compiling a busy 39 in a partnership worth 107 that wrested control away from Australia. His dismissal, caught behind off Hazlewood, and that of Chris Woakes in the same over, brought a late flurry for the hosts. However, Root remained unmoved, guiding Ollie Robinson through to stumps to ensure England finished the day with their noses just ahead. The importance of Root's knock was not lost on Australian great Ricky Ponting in the commentary box.
"That was as good a Test hundred as you'll see. The circumstances, the conditions early on, the scoreboard pressure... he had to be technically perfect. He's carried that batting lineup for years, and today he's done it again on the biggest stage. It's kept England well and truly in this contest."
The Context and What Lies Ahead
This innings was pivotal for the series. After a comprehensive defeat in the first Test at Adelaide, another poor batting display here could have effectively ended England's hopes. Root's century has not only given his side a competitive total to build on but has also provided a massive psychological boost. The resilience shown by the lower order, supporting their captain, means Australia will have to bat last on a Gabba pitch that traditionally deteriorates. England's first-day total is built on several key pillars:
- Root's Mastery: A chanceless, technically flawless innings that adapted to each phase of the day.
- Crucial Partnerships: Stands of 85 with Stokes and 107 with Buttler turned the innings around.
- Late Resistance: Getting to 300 gives the bowlers something tangible to defend.
- Mental Fortitude: Overcoming the top-order collapse to post a fighting total.
Australian captain Pat Cummins acknowledged the challenge Root presented. "We created enough chances early, but you have to take your hat off to Joe. He played brilliantly. We stuck at it pretty well, but that partnership with Buttler took the game away from us a little bit. We'll come back fresh tomorrow, try to knock those last four over quickly, and then it's about batting big ourselves."
Conclusion: A Day for the Captain
The first day in Brisbane will be remembered as the day Joe Root arrived as an Ashes batsman in Australia. His unbeaten 118 was more than just a score; it was a statement of leadership, skill, and immense character. It has transformed the complexion of this second Test, injecting belief into an English camp that was on the ropes. While Australia will still be confident, knowing the potency of their attack and the strength of their batting, they are now faced with a proper fight. England, buoyed by their captain's historic ton, have a platform. The Ashes, thanks to Joe Root, are well and truly alive.