Joe Root delivered a commanding response to his critics with a landmark-laden innings on the opening day of the day-night Test at The Gabba, overturning the doubts that followed his twin failures in Perth and reminding Australia of the resilience that has defined his Ashes career.
Written off by several Australian pundits after a subdued first Test, Root arrived at the crease with England tottering at 5 for 2, only to reassert control with the authority that has long made him England’s most reliable batsman of the modern era.
Root steadied England’s innings under heavy early pressure, negotiating a hostile new-ball spell before advancing past Alastair Cook to become England’s second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history.
Cook amassed 2,493 runs in 35 Ashes Tests; Root surpassed that mark as he moved to 2,497 runs in his 36th appearance against Australia.
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His achievement places him eighth on England’s all-time list, still some distance behind Sir Jack Hobbs’s imposing record of 3,636 runs, but it nevertheless strengthens Root’s standing as one of the major Ashes contributors of the last half-century.
Root’s latest milestone sits within a long and complex Ashes story.
He debuted in the 2013 series, scoring a maiden Ashes century at Lord’s that summer, and has since endured the full range of fortunes.
Joe Root impressed with the bat on day two of The Ashes
|REUTERS
There have been prolific spells, notably in 2015 and 2017–18, alongside bruising tours such as the 2013–14 whitewash and the 2021–22 drubbing in which he carried England’s batting almost single-handedly.
Across those campaigns Root has often been England’s technical anchor, with his performances frequently determining how competitive England have been.
At The Gabba, he added another layer to that legacy by eclipsing Ian Bell to claim the third-most fifty-plus scores by an Englishman against Australia.
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Five things to know about the Ashes | PAHis ability to withstand the early swing under lights and rotate the strike against both pace and spin provided England with a backbone after a disastrous start.
With Root still chasing Hobbs, Wally Hammond and David Gower on the all-time English Ashes run charts, his contribution in Brisbane stands as both a statistical landmark and a statement of renewed intent.
After being dismissed cheaply twice in Perth, the scale and composure of his Gabba innings served as a firm rebuttal to those who doubted whether he could still shape an Ashes series.
Meanwhile, the Test is a day-night match. Speaking beforehand, Root questioned the need for a pink-ball fixture in Australia - much to the ire of the press Down Under.
Joe Root made his Ashes debut back in 2013
|PA
"I personally don't think so," he said when asked if it was necessary.
"It does add to things. It's successful and popular here, and Australia have got a good record here as well. You can see why we're playing one of those games.
"Ultimately, you know from two years out it is going to be there. It's part and parcel of making sure you're ready for it.
"A series like this, does it need it? I don't think so, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be here either."