Sydney, Jan 5 (UNI) Joe Root moved level with Ricky Ponting, joining him in third place on the all-time list of men’s Test centuries after notching his 41st hundred on day two of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, resuming on 72 after play was called off early on the opening day, Root batted with composure and authority, continuing his innings despite a more disciplined bowling effort from Australia.
The England stalwart held firm as wickets fell at the other end, with Harry Brook making 84 before Ben Stokes was dismissed for a duck and Jamie Smith contributing 46.
Root reached his century with minimal fuss and went on to carry his bat through the morning session, walking off at lunch unbeaten on 138. In the post-lunch period, he brought up the 150-run mark, finding support from Will Jacks as England closed in on a substantial first-innings total of around 400.
The hundred was Root’s second of the ongoing tour, ending a long-standing drought in Australia where he had failed to score a Test century across 14 previous matches before this series. His latest effort further underlined his importance to England’s batting line-up in challenging overseas conditions.
England trail 3-1 in the five-match Ashes series, but victory in Sydney would earn them 12 crucial World Test Championship 2027 points as they look to climb from seventh place in the nine-team standings.
