England vs Australia: Joe Root’s first Test century in Australia didn’t just feel big — it felt historic. The moment he nudged that ball to the boundary and raised his bat, everything shifted. Twelve long years of waiting, thirty innings of frustration, several nervous 90s, and countless debates about whether he could ever score a hundred in Australia finally ended at The Gabba in the 2025 Ashes. And the best part? He marked it with a calm shrug, as if he’d been expecting it all along. That shrug instantly became the image of the day — simple, cheeky, and full of relief.
England didn’t start the morning well. At 5 for 2, with Mitchell Starc ripping through the top order in a day-night Ashes Test, fans were already bracing for another brutal collapse. The pink ball was swinging, Australia were full of energy, and the Brisbane crowd smelled blood. But Root walked in with that trademark calm. No panic. No fidgeting. Just focus. This wasn’t a Bazball innings or a reckless counterattack. It was pure Test match batting — patient, classy, controlled — exactly the kind of innings Root has built his legacy on.
Zak Crawley played a huge role too. His 76 helped steady England when things looked bad, and their partnership shifted the mood in the dressing room. Later, Crawley even said in an interview that there was “no talk of a declaration” despite England going into the final hour with nine down — they just wanted to bat through, settle the nerves, and finish strong. That last push came from Jofra Archer, who smashed a lively 32*, turning the 10th-wicket stand into a bonus England didn’t expect. It carried England to 325/9 at stumps, a score that felt impossible in the morning.
Here’s a quick summary of England’s key contributions:
| Player | Runs | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | 135* | First Test century in Australia; rescued England from 5/2 |
| Zak Crawley | 76 | Stabilized the innings with a crucial top-order stand |
| Jofra Archer | 32* | Late burst that pushed England past 300 |
| Mitchell Starc | 6–71 | Australia’s best bowler; early damage |
Root’s century was more than a number. It was redemption. Australia had always been the one place where he couldn’t cross that final hurdle. His record in India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa — everywhere else — looked solid. But in Australia? The conversation always circled back to the missing century. Critics poked at it. Fans worried about it. Even Root admitted in past interviews that the drought bothered him. By scoring this 135 Down Under*, he finally closed the last major gap in an otherwise incredible career. This knock finally puts him in the same away-hero bracket as legends like Alastair Cook and David Gower.
England vs Australia
And oh, that shrug. When the century came, Root didn’t roar or jump in the air. He simply lifted his shoulders and smiled. It instantly became a meme — the perfect blend of relief and quiet confidence. Even Australian fans seemed to enjoy it. That single moment captured everything: calmness under pressure, humility after years of waiting, and the satisfaction of finally conquering the final frontier.
For England, this innings might become a turning point in the Ashes. They went from facing a disastrous Day 1 to walking off with momentum. The body language changed. The belief came back. The dressing room energy shifted. Root’s century wasn’t just a personal milestone — it lifted the entire team.
Root’s Brisbane hundred wasn’t just another entry in the stats column. It was the kind of knock young cricketers will study — a masterclass in patience, temperament, and resilience. It showed why Test cricket remains the ultimate stage for legends. It proved once again that when everything is falling apart, great players rise, and Root did exactly that. His legacy is now richer, the pressure finally lifted, and the redemption complete. And honestly, that shrug alone made the whole wait worth it. READ MORE ON CRICINFO.
