Joe Root finally broke his long-standing drought in Australia, scoring his first Test century there at the 30th attempt to rescue England on a dramatic opening day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.
Dropped on two, Root went on to make an unbeaten 135, putting together key partnerships with Zak Crawley, Harry Brook and late on with Jofra Archer, whose explosive 32 not out helped lift England to 325-9 by stumps. Mitchell Starc again dominated England’s top order with 6-71, reducing them to 5-2 in the first 15 balls and repeatedly threatening collapse under the Gabba lights.
Root steadied the innings with a 117-run stand with Crawley, who scored a vital 76, before England wobbled again as Brook, Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith fell cheaply. But Root’s breakthrough century—celebrated calmly despite wild scenes in the crowd—along with a riotous 61-run last-wicket stand with Archer, turned a perilous position into a competitive total after a tense, rollercoaster day.
Stumps
England vs Australia, 2nd Test, The Ashes
- ENG 325/9 (74 ov)
- Joe Root* 135(202)
- Jofra Archer 32(26)
- Michael Neser 1/43 (14 ov)
- Day 1 – England chose to bat.
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