In a breathtaking and fiercely contested opening day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, England captain Joe Root authored a career-defining innings, scoring his first-ever Test century on Australian soil to drag his side to a competitive total of 325 for 9.
Root Fills Glaring Gap in Stellar CV
The day, played under lights with the pink ball, began in nightmare fashion for the tourists. Mitchell Starc, continuing his devastating form, reduced England to a precarious 5 for 2 inside the first quarter of an hour, removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks. When Root walked to the crease, the pressure was immense.
His innings nearly ended on just two runs, but a difficult chance was put down by Steve Smith. Seizing the reprieve, Root played with immense discipline and resolve, methodically rebuilding the innings. The moment of history arrived at 8.38pm local time when he guided Scott Boland for four to bring up his 40th Test hundred, a milestone greeted with palpable relief by the England skipper and the travelling Barmy Army.
Starc's Fire Meets England's Fightback
While Root was the cornerstone, he received vital support at key moments. Opener Zak Crawley played a fluent counter-attacking knock of 76 from 93 balls in a third-wicket partnership of 117 that halted Australia's early charge. However, Mitchell Starc remained a constant threat, producing a sublime spell of fast bowling to finish the day with figures of 6 for 71.
England's progress was repeatedly checked by wickets, including two needless run-outs in the evening session that saw Ben Stokes and Harry Brook depart. At 264 for 9, another sub-par total seemed inevitable.
Archer's Late Flourish Transforms Complexion
The final twist of a dramatic day came from an unlikely source. Number eleven batsman Jofra Archer launched a stunning late assault, smashing two sixes and a four in a blistering cameo of 31 not out. His unbroken last-wicket stand of 61 runs with Root transformed England's position, pushing the total past 325 and handing the visitors a psychological edge by stumps.
Root remained unbeaten on 135, having batted through the entire innings. His knock, combined with Archer's fireworks, ensured a day that began with English dread ended with the match fascinatingly poised, providing a significant pushback after a difficult start to the series.
