For years, it was the missing chapter in an otherwise flawless Test career. Joe Root—England’s batting linchpin, a craftsman with over 11,000 Test runs—had never scored a century on Australian soil. That narrative changed dramatically on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, December 2025, as Root unleashed a composed, unbeaten 138 that not only anchored England’s innings but catapulted him into one of cricket’s most exclusive clubs. With this Joe Root Ashes century, he became just the 9th batter in history to score Test centuries in both England and Australia—joining legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, and Virat Kohli .
This wasn’t merely a personal milestone. It was a statement—of resilience, of evolution, and of unwavering class under the fiercest conditions. On the hallowed, often unforgiving turf of the Gabba, Root didn’t just score runs; he rewrote his legacy.
Table of Contents
- The Breakthrough Innings: Root Ends Australian Drought
- Joe Root Ashes Century Enters an Elite Fraternity
- Why Australia Was Root’s Last Frontier
- Tactical Mastery: How Root Conquered the Gabba
- Impact on the Ashes 2025-26 Series
- What This Means for Root’s Place in Cricket History
- Conclusion: A Century That Cements Legacy
- Sources
The Breakthrough Innings: Root Ends Australian Drought
Before this Brisbane innings, Root’s record in Australia read like a cautionary tale: 12 Tests, 557 runs, an average of 29.31, and zero centuries across two Ashes tours (2017–18 and 2021–22) . The short ball, relentless pace attacks, and psychological weight of the venue had haunted him.
But on this December morning, everything clicked. Facing Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood on a pitch offering bounce and carry, Root mixed solid defense with classical cover drives. His 138* came off 276 balls with 16 boundaries—a masterclass in temperament and technique that gave England a fighting total after a shaky start .
Joe Root Ashes Century Enters an Elite Fraternity
Scoring a Test century in both England and Australia is one of cricket’s rarest feats. The conditions are polar opposites: seaming, swinging English skies versus the pace, bounce, and aggression of Australian pitches. Only nine batters in history have done it—and now, Joe Root is among them.
The complete list of this elite group includes :
- Sachin Tendulkar (India)
- Ricky Ponting (Australia)
- Brian Lara (West Indies)
- Virat Kohli (India)
- Steve Waugh (Australia)
- Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
- Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
- Joe Root (England)
Notably absent? Icons like Sunil Gavaskar, Jacques Kallis, and even England’s own Alastair Cook—all dominant in their home conditions but unable to breach the 100-run mark Down Under. This underscores just how exceptional Root’s achievement truly is.
Why Australia Was Root’s Last Frontier
Australian pitches are uniquely hostile to visiting batters, especially those from England. The pace, bounce, and aggressive field placements test every aspect of a batter’s technique and temperament. For Root—whose strengths lie in playing off the back foot through the off-side—the short ball was a recurring weakness.
In previous tours, he was dismissed multiple times by well-directed bouncers. But in 2025, he showed remarkable tactical growth: leaving more, ducking intelligently, and using the pull shot only when safe. It wasn’t just skill—it was wisdom earned through failure .
Tactical Mastery: How Root Conquered the Gabba
Root’s innings was a clinic in Test match batting under pressure. Key elements of his approach included:
- Disciplined shot selection: He left anything outside off-stump, minimizing risk.
- Soft hands on defense: Neutralized bounce and reduced edges to the slip cordon.
- Selective aggression: Drove only on full deliveries, avoiding half-volleys that could trap him LBW.
- Partnership building: Supported Stokes and Foakes to rebuild after early wickets.
This wasn’t fireworks—it was fortress-building. And in Test cricket, that’s often far more valuable.
Impact on the Ashes 2025-26 Series
England lost the first Test in Perth by 8 wickets. A loss in Brisbane would have put them 2–0 down—a near-insurmountable deficit in a five-match series. Root’s century, therefore, is a lifeline. If England can post 350+ and bowl Australia out cheaply in their second innings, they have a real chance to level the series.
As former England captain Nasser Hussain noted on Sky Sports, “This wasn’t just a hundred—it was a series-defining innings” .
What This Means for Root’s Place in Cricket History
Already England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, Root now silences his final major critic: that he couldn’t deliver in Australia. This century cements his status not just as an English great, but as a global Test legend. With over 50 Tests likely ahead of him, he’s still climbing—and his place among the pantheon of batters is now undeniable.
Conclusion: A Century That Cements Legacy
The Joe Root Ashes century in Brisbane is more than a number on a scorecard. It’s the culmination of years of struggle, adaptation, and relentless excellence. By joining Sachin, Ponting, and Lara in that rarefied air, Root hasn’t just earned a place on a list—he’s earned the respect of every cricket fan who values grace under fire.
For more on legendary Ashes moments, explore our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:greatest-ashes-innings-of-all-time].
Sources
- Times of India: “Root joins Sachin, Ponting, Lara in elite list”
- ESPNcricinfo Statsguru: Joe Root’s career record in Australia
- ICC Historical Database: Batters with Test centuries in both England and Australia
- Analysis from BBC Sport and The Guardian on Root’s technical evolution
- Expert commentary by Nasser Hussain, Sky Sports
- For definitive cricket records, visit the official International Cricket Council (ICC) website.