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Root’s first hundred in Australia helped England to 325-9 and he’ll try to add to that lead today
Chris WilsonFriday 05 December 2025 03:00 GMTComments
CloseWhat Joe Root's historic first century in Australia means for England's Ashes hopesEngland have a slight advantage in the second Ashes Test match thanks to a fabulous 135* from Joe Root on day one at the Gabba.
Root had never scored a hundred in Australia before yesterday’s heroics rescued England from the terrible position of 5-2 after Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were dismissed early on. He was the anchor for England’s innings with contributions also coming from Zak Crawley (76), Harry Brook (31) and Jofra Archer (32*).
The latter came as part of an exciting and bombastic 10th wicket stand with Root that brought 61 runs and took the visitors to the close of play. Both players will continue their attack on the Australian bowlers before aiming to early inroads into the batting line-up.
England’s bowling unit, led by Archer and Gus Atkinson, will look to Mitchell Starc for inspiration after the left-arm seamer took six wickets on Thursday to continuously halt England’s progress. Day two is set to be another exciting and thrilling affair full of twists and turns that only Test cricket can provide.
Follow all the latest updates, scores and analysis on day one at The Gabba below:
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Ashes 2025/26: Australia v England - second Test, day two
- Day two of the second Ashes Test continues at the Gabba from 4am GMT | Live on TNT Sports
- Joe Root and Jofra Archer look to build on lead as England resume on 325-9
- Root hits unbeaten 135 on day one registering his first ever hundred in Australia
Joe Root silences his last remaining critics with England century for the Ashes history books
And he did it with a shrug.
It’s not often you get to watch history. To see the storyline from beginning to end. It’s been 12 years since Joe Root first played Test cricket in Australia. And it has been an altogether horrible experience.
Fifteen matches. Thirteen losses. Zero wins. In truth, that is the statistic that is most important to address. A century cements his individual legacy – the batter who could indeed do it everywhere – but winning in Australia is the true white whale of his and every other Englishman’s career.
Joe Root silences his last remaining critics with historic Ashes century
Root’s 135 not out in Brisbane finally ended his long wait for a ton on Australian soil and gave England a platform to revive their Ashes hopes in the second TestCameron Ponsonby5 December 2025 03:00Alex Carey reviews Australia's day one performance
The Australian wicket keeper said: "A bit up and down really, We started well with the ball, saw a good partnership form with Crawley and Root.
“Got back into them after the break, that late partnership was crucial for them. Could've been worse, could've been better.
“I thought Joe played an outstanding innings and I know it means a lot to him to get that on Australian soil."
Mike Jones5 December 2025 02:40Lyon feels 'filthy' after Test omission
Spinner Nathan Lyon says he felt "absolutely filthy" after being left out of Australia’s starting XI for the first time in a home series since 2012.
"Absolutely filthy," said Lyon when he was asked how he felt.
"To be honest I haven't really sat down with 'Ronnie' [McDonald] or George yet. I'm letting things settle down in my own head and trying to make sure that I'm doing whatever I can to make sure the guys out in the middle representing Australia do the right thing and get the right result for us.
"I'm not the first player to miss a Test match and I won't be the last. I'm obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially at a venue like this.
"Extremely disappointed, but I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure these guys get up."
Mike Jones5 December 2025 02:20Steve Smith on Pat Cummins' omission
Australia captain Steve Smith said: "Pat was close. He's done everything right. We thought it might have been a little bit risky for this game but he's tracking well for the next one.
"With the pink ball, we think it's going to offer quite a bit, particularly later on under lights.
“We play in the night a lot and thought that was going to be the best attack to take 20 wickets in this fixture."
Mike Jones5 December 2025 02:00England should use Starc as inspiration
Mitchell Starc was once again the pick of the Australian bowlers on day one having taken 6-71 with Michael Neser and Scott Boland the only other two Australian with a mark in the wicket column.
Starc probed England’s outside edges and put the ball in areas to draw out mistakes from the batters.
There was more movement towards the end of the day as well meaning England will need to restrict Australia when it comes to their turn with the ball.
(REUTERS)Mike Jones5 December 2025 01:40Crawley bounces back from pair
Two innings at Perth without scoring a run could have damaged Zak Crawley’s mindset but the opener manages to shrug aside any doubts at the Gabba when he collect 76 runs on day one.
"I had a clear plan and I stuck to it. I hit the ball hard if it came into my area on the leg side,” he revealed.
“A couple of loose shots as I tend to do but I got away with them and played nicely down the ground as well.
“When I got in and the ball started doing less, I felt I could do more on the off side."
Mike Jones5 December 2025 01:20Hayden relieved after Root ton
Ahead of the series Matthew Hayden had pledged to “walk nude” around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Root was unable to end his lack of centuries in Australia.
The former Australia opener said: “Congratulations mate on a hundred here in Australia.
“It took you a while and there was no one that had more skin in the game than me, literally.
“I was backing you for a hundred in a good way, so congratulations. You little ripper, mate, have a beauty and bloody enjoy it.”
Mike Jones5 December 2025 01:00Broad questions Brook's application
Stuart Broad is a former teammate of Harry Brook but questioned some of the decisions made by the middle order batter during this series.
“He’s played 31 Test matches now,” said Broad, speaking on Australia’s Channel 7. “He’s not someone starting out his Test match career.
“I just look at his last three Test matches: India at the Oval, the game was won, he got a brilliant hundred, and he chipped one to mid-off and England up losing that Test match by six runs; then he played beautifully at Perth [in] innings one; innings two, Australia were getting back in the game and he played a loose drive and he’s out; and a similar thing happens this afternoon.
“Is he recognising the game scenario? That’s such a crucial thing about Test match cricket. Is he aware of what’s happening at that time in the Test match?”
Mike Jones5 December 2025 00:40Stuart Broad questions Harry Brook over ‘crucial’ part of game after Ashes mistake
Stuart Broad has questioned Harry Brook’s in-game nous after the England batter “gifted” his wicket to Australia in the first innings of the second Ashes Test.
Brook came in with England 122-3 on day one at The Gabba, and began building a promising partnership with Joe Root in favourable batting conditions in Brisbane.
Stuart Broad questions Harry Brook over ‘crucial’ part of game after Ashes mistake
Brook was dismissed cheaply playing at a wide Mitchell Starc delivery in the first innings of the second Ashes TestMike Jones5 December 2025 00:20Vaughan on Root's hundred
Michael Vaughan said on Kayo Sports: “His 40th (century), and his most precious, has just arrived. That was the one that he wanted.
“All the talk leading into this series was ‘will Joe Root get three figures in Australia?’. Well, in his third innings of the series he’s done it off the back of a difficult week in Perth.
“For England to compete they need that man. It was a technical masterclass from England’s best player.”
Mike Jones5 December 2025 00:00Newer1 / 2OlderMore about
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