For more than a decade, Joe Root has carried the weight of one glaring absence on an otherwise phenomenal Test career: a century on Australian soil. After 12 years, 30 innings, and countless close calls, the England great finally reached three figures in Australia—an achievement that not only electrified the Gabba, but also breathed life back into England’s Ashes campaign.

The sense of relief was almost physical. Relief for Root, for England’s dressing room, and for supporters who feared another series sliding away before it had even begun.

A Historic Day Under Gabba Floodlights

Day one of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane was packed with drama. England slumped to 5–2, then to 211–6, and the familiar dread of previous Gabba failures returned. Yet standing firm was Root—calm, composed, and carrying the weight of history on his shoulders.

By the time he turned 98 into 102 with a simple glance off Scott Boland, the celebrations were wild. Fans embraced strangers, parts of the stadium erupted, and Root simply shrugged as if brushing away a decade of Australian frustration.

Root’s unbeaten 135 by stumps did more than steady England. It kept the series competitive, kept the urn within reach, and cemented his status in cricket history.

The Final Box Ticked in a Legendary Career

Root has long insisted that personal milestones matter far less than team success. Yet this particular milestone—his first Australian hundred—carried emotional weight. It was the one achievement critics used to question whether he belonged among the game’s true greats.

Now that final box is ticked.

Even Australians, notoriously demanding when assessing opposition players, can no longer argue. As his former Yorkshire coach Darren Lehmann once said, Root needed a century in Australia to join the all-time elite. With that barrier broken, the debate is over.

A Journey Marked by Setbacks, Heat, and Heartbreak

Root’s Ashes story in Australia hasn’t been easy.

• 2013–14: A young prodigy dropped for the series finale.
• 2017–18: Played through extreme 43°C heat, ending up in hospital in Sydney.
• 2021–22: Another 4–0 defeat, plus painful blows during the Adelaide day-night Test, and the strain of strict Covid restrictions.

This Brisbane Test is likely his final Ashes tour in Australia. The next time England return, Root will be closing in on 39 years old. That made this century even more symbolic—one last chance to conquer a country that had denied him so many times.

A Innings Built on Patience, Precision, and Pure Class

Root arrived at the crease with England in chaos and could have been out to his third ball—an edge off Mitchell Starc just wide of Steve Smith. But from there, he constructed a masterclass.

Key features of his innings:

• Disciplined shot selection: Minimal risky dab shots behind point, few drives through the covers.
• Playing the V: Over a quarter of his first 100 runs came straight down the ground—rare for Root away from home.
• Two-phase batting:
  • First 61 runs from 94 balls
  • Next 39 runs from 88 balls
• No boundaries for 18 overs, showing his resolve through the tricky twilight period.

Once past three figures, the mood shifted. Jofra Archer’s lively hitting—including career-best Test score—gave Root licence to entertain. His trademark reverse-scoop off Boland for six felt like Root leaving his signature mark on the Gabba: “Joe was here.”

Supporting Acts and Subplots

The day wasn’t only about Root.

Harry Brook’s struggles

Brook, widely praised as England’s future captain, played recklessly—especially in chasing a wide Starc delivery just as conditions were toughest. His immense talent is unquestioned, but his decision-making remains under scrutiny.

Mitchell Starc’s continued dominance

Starc now has 16 wickets in the series, terrorizing England’s top order in a way reminiscent of Mitchell Johnson. On day one, he was close to unplayable.

Nathan Lyon’s shock omission

The veteran off-spinner, who has a long personal history with Root from their Adelaide days, was left out of the XI. His live TV interview on the boundary hinted at real frustration—an unusual scene for a player of his stature.

Root Rewrites the Narrative

What Root achieved at Brisbane goes beyond a simple century. He changed the conversation around his legacy, lifted his team’s belief, and finally conquered the one frontier that had eluded him.

For England fans, for Root himself, and for the history books, this was a moment worth waiting for.

Joe Root is no longer “Average Joe.”
He’s now unarguably an Ashes all-timer.