Starc takes six wickets, but Root's first century in Australia helps England score over 300

Starc takes six wickets, but Root's first century in Australia helps England score over 300

Joe Root’s 40th Test century was his first in Australia, but his fifth in the Ashes. Root marched off unbeaten on 135 off 202 balls after a late flogging of the pink ball under the Gabba floodlights on Thursday.

Joe Root has scored his first Test century in Australia. It took him 30 innings to reach the milestone, but it came at the perfect time for England, who were trailing 1-0 in the Ashes. Under the Gabba lights in the pink-ball Test, Root’s unbeaten 135 off 202 balls guided England to 325/9. No team has ever lost a day-night Test after scoring more than 300 in the first innings, giving England hope.

England could have finished with more runs, but Mitchell Starc was outstanding with the pink ball. He took 6 for 71, moving past Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 Test wickets. It was Starc’s sixth five-wicket haul in day-night Tests no other bowler has more than two.

England won the toss and batted first, but the start was shaky. Starc struck in the first over, dismissing Ben Duckett, and then bowled Ollie Pope for a duck. Root walked in at 7 for 2 and was briefly tested by Starc, but soon settled into his rhythm.

Zak Crawley gave Root good support. After failing in Perth, Crawley looked solid here, playing straighter and later. Together, Root and Crawley added 117 runs for the third wicket, showing England’s determination to fight back in the series. Crawley eventually fell to Michael Neser, who was picked ahead of Nathan Lyon and bowled well.

Harry Brook entertained briefly with aggressive strokes but was caught by Steven Smith off Starc. Ben Stokes struggled again and was run out by a brilliant throw from Josh Inglis. England slipped from 176/3 as wickets fell Jamie Smith was bowled by Scott Boland, and Starc returned to remove Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse.

Australia expected England to declare nine down, but Root and Jofra Archer surprised them. The pair added 61 runs off 44 balls, setting a new record for the highest tenth-wicket stand in a day-night Test.

Through all the ups and downs, Root was the steady presence. He built partnerships with Crawley and Archer, adjusted to the conditions under lights, and avoided risky shots. Unlike in Perth, he kept England in control and ensured they did not waste the advantage.