Brisbane, Australia – Joe Root produced a masterclass in patience and resilience, finally claiming his first century of the Ashes tour in a gritty 128 off 277 balls at the Gabba today. The innings, a crucial contribution to England’s 343 all out, was met with a collective sigh of relief and a growing acknowledgement from the Australian camp that the Test captain is a player of immense quality.
For much of the tour, Root has appeared a shadow of his former self, battling inconsistency and a barrage of hostile Australian bowling. The relentless aggression from the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins had seemingly rattled him, resulting in low scores and a feeling of frustration. However, against a significantly less menacing attack – particularly after a late injury withdrawal for key quick Josh Hazlewood – Root rediscovered his rhythm and demonstrated the temperament that has defined his career.
The century itself wasn’t a flamboyant display of power hitting. Instead, it was a meticulous accumulation of singles and doubles, interspersed with the occasional defensive stroke. He expertly navigated the tricky bounce of the Gabba pitch, proving particularly adept at converting good lengths into runs.
“It was a really important innings for him,” said England batting coach Paul Farbrace after the match. “Joe’s been carrying a bit of pressure, and to see him build that innings so patiently, it was exactly what we needed to see. It’s a reminder of what he’s capable of.”
The innings provided a much-needed boost to England’s spirits after a difficult first Test. While the Australian bowlers still posed a threat, Root’s display signaled a possible turning point in the series.
“He’s a world-class player, there’s no doubt about that,” acknowledged Australian captain Pat Cummins following the match. “He’s going to keep fighting, and you have to respect that. England will have to admit he’s a great – and that’s something they’ll need to contend with.”
England now head into the second Test with renewed confidence, and with Root at the top of the order, they will be a far more formidable opponent. The question now is whether this century will be the catalyst for a consistent return to form for the star batsman.
Keywords: Joe Root, Ashes, England, Australia, Cricket, Test Match, Gabba, Century, Cricket News, Pat Cummins, Ashes 2025.
Fuente: https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/c5yjg9jdxn5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss