Follow UsJoe Root finally conquered the final frontier as he posted his maiden century in Test cricket on Australian soil, after being active in the format for the last 12 years and having toured Australia thrice before.
The milestone century came on December 4 (Thursday) during the second Ashes 2025-26 Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. Root, often referred to as ‘Average Joe’ by the Aussie media for not being able to perform well Downunder, was able to break the barrier finally, in what could be termed as his last Ashes tour.
Given that Root will turn 35 this December, it would be hard to imagine him playing at 39 and that too in Australia. Root, who had hit his first ever Test ton way back in 2013, brought up his 40th, which is one short of Ricky Ponting’s tally of 41, five short of Jacques Kallis’ 45 and 11 short of Sachin Tendulkar’s 51.
Root remained unbeaten at 135 as he added an unbeaten 61 off 44 with number 11 Jofra Archer, who was not out on 32 off 26 balls. This is the second-biggest stand of the game so far after Zak Crawley and Root added 117 for the third wicket.
First century for Joe Root across countries
England - 104, Leeds, 2013
West Indies – 182*, St George's, 2015
South Africa - 110, Johannesburg, 2016
India - 124, Rajkot, 2016
Sri Lanka - 124, Pallekele, 2018
New Zealand - 226, Hamilton, 2019
Pakistan - 262, Multan, 2024
Australia - 113*, Brisbane, 2025