ENG vs AUS: Imperious Joe Root slams 30th Test century, notches up first ton against Australia in eight years

The right-handed batter from Yorkshire notched up his ton off 145 balls by taking a single off Nathan Lyon. The English batting mainstay – who has been going through a phenomenal purple patch since 2021 – became the only second player to have slammed 30 or more centuries for the country.

Former English cricketer Alastair Cook is the only batter who has scored more Test tons than Root for their nation. In his illustrious career of 161 Tests, Cook slammed 33 centuries. Root – who is playing his 131st Test – has 30 already. Given the red-hot form he’s in, the talismanic batter will be able to breach that mark within a year’s time.

Joe Root Test Career

While Root has been in a menacing tough against every other Test-playing nation, but his figures against Australia weren’t pleasing lately. The modern-day legend – who had last notched up a ton against the Baggy Greens in 2015 – ended a drought of eight years with this knock.

In the opening Test match against old rivals, Australia, England didn’t get the best of starts after captain Ben Stokes elected to bat first after winning the toss in Birmingham. Barring opener Zak Crawley, who slammed a gritty 61 off 73 balls, the top order didn’t live up to the expectations.

Fit-again Josh Hazlewood gave the hosts an early jolt by removing Ben Duckett cheaply for 12. Later, premier spinner Nathan Lyon showcased his brilliance with the ball and kept picking up wickets at regular intervals to prevent the English middle-order from scoring freely.

Scott Boland – the hero with the ball for the Aussies in the WTC Final against India last week – also bagged the wicket of set Crawley. But Root and his partner from Yorkshire, Jonny Bairstow, revived the English innings and shared a big 121-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Joe Root Leapfrogs David Warner

After Bairstow’s dismissal at run-a-ball 78, Root was left with the tailenders but found support from the partners at the other end to complete his century. With that knock, Root surpassed Australia opener David Warner to slam the most centuries in international cricket amongst active players.

Warner has 45 international centuries, and his fellow teammate Steve Smith has 43 international tons. India captain Rohit Sharma also has 43 tons under his belt but the list is topped by his compatriot Virat Kohli, who has 75 international centuries across three formats.