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Joe Root breaks century jinx in Australian soil; produces one of his best knocks at The Gabba

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Joe Root at The Gabba (Source: AFP Photos)Joe Root at The Gabba (Source: AFP Photos)

Regarded as England’s best Test batter of all time, Joe Root finally got the money off his back on Thursday during their second Test of the all-important Ashes series against Australia at The Gabba. The 34-year-old, who did not have a Test century in Australia until today, will no longer be remembered for the unwanted record.

Root has now got his 40th Test century, coupled with 66 half-centuries under his belt. No wonder he is often compared to Sachin Tendulkar for his impeccable consistency, and adding to that, he has a century in the longest format in Australia as well.

Most innings to maiden 100 in Australia

  • 41 - Ian Healy
  • 36 - Bob Simpson
  • 32 - Gordon Greenidge/ Steve Waugh
  • 30 - Joe Root

Root is now a century away from equalling Ricky Ponting’s Test hundred tally, with Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis sitting above them. Meanwhile, Kumar Sangakkara is at no. 5 in the all-time chart.

Most 100s in Tests

  1. 51 - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
  2. 45 - Jacques Kallis (ICC/South Africa)
  3. 41 - Ricky Ponting (Australia)
  4. 40* - Joe Root (England)
  5. 38 - Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Prior to this innings, Root had scored 908 runs in 29 innings in Australia at an average of around 35, which was very poor given his lofty standards. Thankfully, after the century, he improved his numbers in his arch-rivals’ own backyard.

Talking about the match, Root is currently batting on 106*, but the others around him are falling like a pack of cards. England, whom Root recovered from Zak Crawley from 5/2 after Mitchell Starc’s opening spell masterclass, are now on 264/9, with Jofra Archer being the No. 11 in the middle.