Joe Root’s long-awaited maiden Test century on Australian soil prompted jubilant celebrations back home, with his parents marking the moment in characteristically understated fashion: kebabs and a bottle of wine.
Their private toast captured the relief felt across England as Root finally broke a hoodoo that had spanned four Ashes tours and countless near-misses.
The 34-year-old reached the landmark in the final session of day one at The Gabba, steering a leg-side delivery to the boundary to complete an innings of immense poise under pressure.
England, reeling at 5 for 2 inside the opening three overs after Mitchell Starc’s new-ball burst, needed Root to steady the entire enterprise - and the 34-year-old obliged with a terrific innings that dragged his side back into the contest.
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For his parents, watching from Yorkshire, the milestone represented the end of a personal saga that had become a national talking point.
Ten half-centuries in Australia had produced only frustration; Root had often been England’s lone beacon in otherwise losing causes.
This time, the reward finally arrived. A family friend said the celebratory meal reflected the “Root way - simple, unshowy, and quietly delighted”.
Five things to know about the Ashes | PAThe sense of catharsis was felt as strongly inside the England camp.
Zak Crawley, who made 76 in a vital stand with the England captain, described the day as belonging to the tourists after an early wobble.
Speaking to TNT Sports at stumps, Crawley said: “A great start by them [Australia]. A couple of really good balls and a bit unlucky for [Ollie] Pope, but that was me last week, so I know how it feels.
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Joe Root silenced his critics with a brilliant batting performance for England against Australia on day one of the second Ashes Test | PA"That is the nature of the beast at the top of the order.
"I was pleased with how I played, I wanted more, and I was gutted to get out. Standing here now, I am happy with 76 and I feel we’re in a good position.
“The chat was to go hard and if we got out we could have had half an hour with them.
"They [Root and Jofra Archer] got some crucial runs. A phenomenal effort and it puts us in a good position tomorrow.
"Sitting here as an England player, I think it is our day.”
Root’s century also spared Australian great Matthew Hayden from fulfilling his much-publicised promise to run nude around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if the England captain failed once again to reach three figures in Australia.
Joe Root reached a first Ashes century Down Under on Thursday
|PA
Hayden later congratulated Root in a video message, saying: “G’day Joe, congratulations mate.
"Took you a while and there was no-one that had more skin in the game than me, literally.
"Ten fifties and finally a hundred — good on ya mate, ripper knock.”
For England, Root’s breakthrough represents far more than a statistical correction.
It signals a reassertion of authority at a venue widely regarded as one of the most hostile in world cricket.
England’s batter had spoken openly before the series of wanting to “put it right” after years of missed opportunities. It's safe to say he's done exactly that.