Joe Root ends wait for Test Century in Australia to boost England’s Ashes hopes

Joe Root’s 13-year wait for a Test century on Australian soil finally came to an end as he brought England’s Ashes dreams to life during a remarkable start to the day-night clash at the Gabba.

Root produced a dose of style, substance and Sheffield steel to end a career-long quest, filling one of the last major gaps in his glittering CV and strengthening his side after another strike from Mitchell Starc.

The former captain, playing his 16th Test and 30th innings Down Under, ended the day with an imperious 135 not out as England closed on 325 for nine.

All Root still needs to achieve is a first Test win in Australia, and at 264 for nine that looked like a long shot.

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Pendulum swung

But the pendulum swung again in a frenzied final half-hour under a night sky as he and Jofra Archer scored 61 from the last 44 balls of the day.

Once again it was Starc who stood in England’s way. After plundering ten wickets in the series opener in Perth, the paceman continued to exert a stranglehold on the tourists as he hammered six for 71.

That included Ben Duckett for a golden duck – Starc’s third successive first-over success and 26th in a career littered with new-ball success – and Ollie Pope for another clean sheet.

In doing so, he overtook Pakistani great Wasim Akram of 414 and became the most prolific left-arm seamer in history.

The pressure mounted

At five games to two, England were teetering on the brink, and it might have gone over the top if Steve Smith had had a devilish chance when Root had only two to his name.

Instead, Root dug deep into his resolve and batted for the remainder of the innings – a beacon of sound judgment and refined technique.

Zak Crawley also proved his character by shaking off a demoralizing pair in Perth to post a fluent 76 at the top of the rankings.

While the pressure was on, the Kent opener emerged with his trademark cover drives in full working order.

Costly mistakes

Elsewhere there were costly mistakes. Pope’s crooked bat was an accident waiting to happen at number three and Harry Brook played 31 in a muddled manner before teeing off his first ball from Starc just as England looked to be taking the lead.

He wasn’t the only one who had to give up the advantage. Ben Stokes hit 49 balls with care and sobriety in an attempt to neutralize the difficult twilight conditions in which the artificial light took over, before sacrificing himself to a maddening run-out.

He departed for a non-existent single without even looking at Root, turned around too late to see Josh Inglis slam the stumps down with a brilliant delivery.

Madness

Amid the madness, Root stood his ground and synced his own mission with the runs his team desperately needed.

There were glimmers of nerves after going past his previous best of 89 with back-to-back pulls for four off Brendan Doggett, with another minor run-out scare on 97 and the slightest hint of a bat-pad catch on 98.

But this time he wouldn’t be denied, as he finely worked Scott Boland for another boundary to draw out raucous chants of “Roooooooot” from the outcoming contingent.

Root ripped off his helmet, held up his arms for a moment, then shrugged self-effacingly, as if wondering what all the fuss was about.

Strongly finished

After Boland cast Jamie Smith for a duck – England are already on nine for the series – Starc returned under dark skies to beat Will Jacks, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson in quick succession.

England were ready to put on their bowling boots but there was still power to be added when number 11 Archer joined Root for a thrilling last-wicket stand.

He hit 32 no, including a pair of muscular sixes, as Root dug into his trick bag to scoop Boland all the way over the ropes at third.

Stokes looked ready to declare but allowed the batting to continue as England finished strongly.

Selection bomb

Australia had earlier kicked off a day of stunning entertainment with a huge selection bomb.

While the omission of Pat Cummins was hardly unexpected as the captain was never officially added to the squad despite rumors to the contrary, Australia’s decision to drop Nathan Lyon from left field thundered.

The 562-wicket spinner was benched for veteran Seamer Michael Neser in a jaw dropper and missed a home Test for the first time since January 2012 – a streak that stretches back 69 consecutive appearances.

READ MORE: England’s Joe Root makes his first Ashes century in Australia