He may have scored his first century on Australian shores, but there are bigger fish to fry for England’s champion
Selfless Joe Root is so hell-bent on winning the Ashes that he was quick to put his first Test century in Australia back in its box when asked for his reflections.
This tour could well be the final time the 34-year-old gets the chance to win the Ashes for the first time in his career Down Under. His breakthrough unbeaten 138 at the Gabba was a means to an end and not an end in itself.
Root’s deepest views on that magnificent knock will have to wait. All the well wishes from his many supporters, though much appreciated by England’s No.4, must also be put in perspective.
“I think I will be more equipped to tell you at the end of the game really,” Root said, when asked to reflect on his long-awaited achievement.
“I am grateful for all the support, but this tour is not about me scoring a hundred in Australia. It is about us trying to win the Ashes.”
England finished day two with plenty of work to level the series 1-1. After being dismissed for 334 early in the day they let Australia progress to 6-378, a lead of 44 runs, through poor length bowling and five dropped catches — one, albeit a difficult chance, from Root himself.
The lapse that’s left Alex Carey still at the crease on 46 will doubtless only make Root more determined to pile up another big score in the second dig, rather than bask in personal glory.
“My job is to score as many runs as I can, as a senior batter in the team,” he said.
“I expect that of myself and I will go out there with the same attitude every time.
“I feel as though the last couple of years I have got a really good understanding of how I want to approach different conditions and an understanding of my own game and how I am going to apply myself against different attacks.”
There has been consternation amongst England supporters about the reckless manner several batters have lost their wickets this series. Root played a masterful innings for his 40th Test ton. He upped the ante when needed and grafted through the tough times.
But he refused to be critical of teammates who did not follow his example.
“I think the rest of the top order have to trust their ability to read the situation and play how they see fit,” he said.
“They are very good at doing that and have done it time and time again. It’s about working together. I trust every single one of them.
“They are all more than capable of winning games for England. What an exciting prospect, to go out and win a pink-ball Test here in Brisbane. Let’s look at that carrot as something we all want to go out and achieve.”
Root had a 117-run liaison with Zak Crawley (76) for the third wicket and a whirlwind 70-run stand with last man Jofra Archer (38).
“My rhythm sometimes comes from the guys at the other end and I don’t think they get the credit they deserve. The way they play allows me to play the way I play,” he said.
“Partnerships are so important in batting.”
When Root, in his 30th innings in Australia, reached his century he made a wry kind of shrug towards his teammates in the stands. It was a very Joe Root thing to do, so it turns out. Completely without ego.
So what did that gesture mean, Joe?
“I don’t really know,” he grinned.
“I didn’t really know what to do. Unfortunately, there is no cool story behind it. It is just one of those weird things.”
2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes
First Test: Australia won by eight wickets
Second Test: December 4-8, The Gabba, Brisbane (D/N), 3pm AEDT
Third Test: December 17-21: Adelaide Oval, 10:30am AEDT
Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne, 10:30am AEDT
Fifth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney, 10:30am AEDT
Australia squad (second Test only): Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood
