Atherton admitted Root’s milestone had taken more time than necessary. He, however, praised the way the top-order batsman anchored the innings despite taking a few early knocks after the tourists opted to bat first in winning the toss.
“It’s been a long time coming. What’s more important to him than anything is scoring crucial runs at a critical time. He was in for the 16th ball of the innings at 5 for 2, so it could have gone horribly wrong. With Mitchell Starc hitting Duckett and Pope back for ducks, all those memories of Perth came flooding back, but then England’s greatest run-getter played the innings of his life – because everything is on the line here,” Atherton said while speaking on Sky Sports Cricket podcast.
Root navigated the Australian quicks’ early attack and gradually established himself at the crease. He finished unbeaten on 135 off 202 with 15 fours and one six to his name. The 135 was also the most by an English batsman on the first day of a Test in Australia since Michael Vaughan’s 177 in Adelaide in 2002.
Root’s scores in the opening match in Perth were 0 and 8 England‘s loss of eight wickets. There were concerns about how England’s most seasoned batsman would fare in the remainder of the series. However, the Brisbane blow could be a turning point for the Ben Stokes-led unit.
Talking about the match situation at Stumps, England reached 325/9 in 74 overs. Root and Jofra Archer had forged a crucial 10th-wicket stand of 61 from just 44 deliveries by the end of the first day’s play. Mitchell Starc finished with six wickets to his name in another superb display of fast bowling.
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