Joe Root Ends Ashes Drought: 135* Century Lights Up Gabba Day 1 – England Edges Australia!
Brisbane, December 4, 2025 – Joe Root finally conquered his Ashes nemesis Down Under, smashing a majestic unbeaten 135 to propel England to 325/9 on a rollercoaster Day 1 of the 2nd Test at the Gabba. The 34-year-old’s 40th Test ton – his first in 30 Australian innings – came off 181 balls (12 fours), capping a gritty rescue act after Mitchell Starc’s fiery 6/71 threatened collapse. With Jofra Archer’s career-best 32* in an unbroken 61-run last-wicket stand, England snatched honors in a pink-ball thriller, silencing Perth ghosts and reigniting the series.
Starc, the left-arm express, tore through early doors – Duckett and Pope gone in three balls for 2/5 – but Root’s composure turned the tide. From 5/2 to 325/9, his 117-run alliance with Zak Crawley (76) and 54 with Harry Brook (31) rebuilt, before Archer’s blitz frustrated Australia. Pat Cummins’ seam-heavy call (Neser over Lyon) backfired on a flattening pitch – now, can England press home or will Aussie batsmen roar back on Day 2? Dive into the drama, stats, and what this means for the urn!
Day 1 Snapshot: ENG 325/9 vs AUS
- Root: 135* (181 balls, 12×4)
- Starc: 6/71 (best left-arm pacer in Tests, 415 wkts)
- Last Wkt Stand: Root-Archer 61* (7.2 ov)
- Toss: Stokes won, batted
- Session Scores: 98/2, 98/2, 129/5
Early Mayhem: Starc’s Pink-Ball Fireworks Rock England
Under Gabba’s twilight glow, Cummins called right – seam-friendly pink Dukes under lights. Starc, rested post-Perth heroics (5/78), struck gold: Duckett edged first ball (0), Pope slashed second (0) – 2/5 in 2.3 overs. England 5/2, Barmy Army stunned. Crawley (76 off 109, 8×4) and Root steadied with 117 – Crawley’s pull off Boland a highlight.
Middle collapse loomed: Brook (31 off 33, 3×4, 1×6) slashed Starc to slip (6th wkt), Stokes run-out (19) by Inglis’ rocket throw (210/5). Boland yorked Smith (0), Starc mopped Carse (0) and Atkinson (0) – 264/9. Enter Archer – No.11’s defiant 32* (26, 4×4) with Root’s guidance turned tide.
40th Test ton (160th match)
1,000th run in away Ashes
Root’s Resilience: From ‘Average Joe’ to Gabba Great
Root’s Gabba entry? 5/2 – Perth scars fresh (8-wkt loss). But the Yorkshire maestro, 34 and peaking, channeled calm: 88* at tea (drinks 88*). 90s nudge? Boland boundary (96), then clip for ton – cheeky shrug, Gabba ovation. 135* by stumps – highest AUS score (prev 89 vs SA 2018).
Techniques? Rock-solid defense, exquisite drives (12×4), occasional flair. Archer partnership? 61* off 43 balls – No.11’s slashes, Root’s nudges. Legacy? 12,000+ Test runs, avg 50+ – Ashes hoodoo broken, series alive (1-0 AUS).
Starc’s Supremacy: Left-Arm Legend Surpasses Akram
Mitchell Starc, 35 and fiery, etched history: 6/71 – 415th Test wkt, topping Wasim Akram’s 414 (left-arm record). Duckett (0), Pope (0), Brook (31), Jacks (17), Atkinson (0), Carse (0) – pink-ball mastery. Economy? 3.55 – swing, seam, speed.
Career? 350+ wkts, avg 27 – AUS’s ODI GOAT too. Post-match: “Tough day, ball softened.” Cummins: “Starc’s spell set us up – Root’s fightback hurts.”
Day 1 Sessions: Rollercoaster from Collapse to Counterpunch
Afternoon: 98/2 – Crawley-Root 117, Starc 2/25. Tea: 196/4 – Brook’s 54 with Root. Evening: 129/5 – Stokes run-out (19), collapse to 264/9, Archer blitz 61*. Sessions symmetric: 98/2 each – England’s grit edged AUS’s bite.
Aus Selection Gamble: Neser Over Lyon – Bold or Bust?
Cummins’ call: Five pacers, Neser for Lyon (injured? No – pitch play). Gabba green? Suited seam, but flat track favored spin. Lyon absent home since 2011 debut (2nd time) – committee: “One-off for conditions.” Result? Mixed – Starc/Boland shone, but Root-Archer exploited.
Day 2 Preview: Can England Press or AUS Pounce?
England resume 325/9 – Root 135*, Archer 32*. AUS bat? Head, Labuschagne open – Warner retired, Khawaja injured? Spin? Lyon out, but Cummins eyes 350 chase. Weather? Sunny 28°C – batting beauty. Prediction? England 400+ sets tone; AUS 3-day win if collapse.
Ashes Stakes: Root’s Ton Tilts the Urn Tug-of-War
Perth rout (8 wkts) had England reeling – Root’s ton? Lifeline. Series? 1-0 AUS, but Brisbane bridgehead. Stokes: “Root’s the rock.” Cummins: “Fightback expected – Day 2 ours.” Barmy Army sings; Gabba Groovers counter.
Final Verdict: Root’s Redemption – Ashes Alive!
Day 1? Root’s 135* > Starc’s 6/71 – England’s edge. Gabba glows with hope; series simmers. Day 2? Archer falls early? AUS hunt. Root reigns – Down Under drought done!
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