Joe Root ends Ashes century drought in Australia

Web Desk :

England’s batting stalwart Joe Root on Thursday achieved a much-needed landmark of scoring his maiden Test century in Australia during the opening day of the second Ashes fixture at The Gabba.

Despite being the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, Root had yet to score a century in Australia, heading into the blockbuster series. He had 892 runs to his name at an average of 35.68.However, since 2022, when Australia last hosted the Test series, the right-handed batter has scored 15 centuries at an average of 64.64.

Root’s meteoric rise in Test cricket fuelled the buzz around his century drought in Australia, causing the cricket fraternity to debate whether he would be able to reach triple figures in the longest format Down Under.

The 34-year-old had a forgetful start to the series as he was dismissed for a seven-ball duck in the first innings of the Perth Test, he could muster eight off 11 deliveries in the second.

Joe Root, however, staged an astounding turnaround as he notched up his much-awaited century in the first innings of the ongoing pink-ball Test here.

He top-scored for the visitors with an unbeaten 135 off 202 deliveries, studded with 15 fours and a six, helping England finish the opening day on a high note at 325/9.

Root, alongside Jofra Archer, unbeaten on 32, will resume England’s first innings on the second day.For the unversed, Root’s drought-ending century in Australia was his 40th in the longest format and helped him move just one away from Ricky Ponting’s tally of 41, who sits third on the elusive list of batters with the most hundreds in Tests.

India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar leads the list with 51 centuries, followed by legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who amassed triple figures 45 times in his glittering career.