Root misses out on first Ashes ton in Australia as England lose early wickets

Joe Root was one of three England wickets to fall during the first half hour on day four of the first Ashes Test against Australia

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England captain Joe Root fell 11 runs short of making his first Ashes hundred in Australia on day four of the first Test at the Gabba.

Root batted brilliantly alongside Dawid Malan on day three, with the pair putting on an unbeaten 159-run partnership to stage something of a fightback after a poor first two days.

Root ended day three on 86 not out and looked set to reach three figures on day four, as did Malan.

However, Australia started well with the ball, with Nathan Lyon dismissing Malan for 82 to get his 400th Test wicket.

Root soon followed, with Cameron Green getting him caught behind for 89.

It was Root’s highest score in Australia, but a first Test century down under still eludes him.

On TV commentary, Adam Gilchrist said: “Edged and gone! Beautiful delivery, Alex Carey did the work and the captain goes.

“He misses out on another Test century opportunity. Fantastic from Cummins to get Green on, he threatened to get a wicket yesterday and he did exactly that this morning.”

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, former England spinner Phil Tufnell said: “What a difference a day makes.

“It’s a decent delivery, but could he have left it. Well, played Joe Root, but he goes without that hundred in Australia.”

Youngster Ollie Pope was the next wicket to fall, getting caught at slip by Steve Smith off Lyon for four.

His dismissal meant England had lost three wickets for just 11 runs in the first half hour of play on day four.

Root and Malan had restored some pride and optimism for England with their partnership on day three but that quickly vanished, leaving England staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat.

“What a morning this is for Australia,” added Tufnell. “It’s the bounce. Pope punches it to slip. Oh dear.”