England 325-9: Root 135*, Crawley 76; Star 6-71
Australia: yet to hit
England won the toss
Scorekeeper
Joe Root finally made a century in Australia to keep England afloat on a fascinating first day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.
With day and night conditions fueling the drama, Root, who took two, tickled Scott Boland with four to reach three figures in Australia in the 30th attempt.
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This sparked delirious celebrations in the noisy England support corner at the Gabba, as Root simply removed his helmet and shrugged towards the visitors’ dugout.
Even though Mitchell Starc bowled England out once again for 6-71, Root reached 135 not out, adding an unbroken 61 in a riotous last-wicket tussle with Jofra Archer, to lift the tourists to 325-9.
Root arrived in daylight, just 15 balls into the match, as England threatened to implode to equal their first Test defeat by falling to 5-2.
Starc was electric and took both wickets with his first nine balls. The left-arm spinner remained a threat all day, leading the attack as the Australian was again without captain Pat Cummins and leaving out bowler Nathan Lyon in a home Test for the first time since 2012.
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Root rebuilt a stand of 117 with Zak Crawley, the opener impressive for his much-needed 76. Root also added 54 with Harry Brook, whose inexplicably weak shot off Starc’s second ball in the twilight made much of England’s day a struggle.
England had to fight under the lights. Ben Stokes took 49 balls for 19 before running out asking Root for a non-existent single. When Jamie Smith was bowled by Boland for England’s third duck of the day, the tourists were reeling again at 211-6.
Will Jacks steadied himself with Root, only to chase down Starc when Root was on 98. In the next over, amid almost unbearable tension, Root finally had his Australian moment.
There was still time for Root and Archer to flay the tired Australian attack in 44 balls of chaos before the close.
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Archer hit two sixes, while Root celebrated his ton with a trademark backhander from Boland for a maximum of his own. It was tremendous fun at the end of a stressful day.
Ashes offers drama again
How come there are only three days of cricket in this series? There has been enough drama to fill more than five tests.
If England’s crushing defeat in the first Test was dizzying chaos, this opening day in Brisbane was a titanic struggle and not for the faint-hearted.
By making the shock decision to omit Lyon, Australia launched one of its least experienced Test attacks in more than a decade.
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However, despite having the advantage of winning the toss on a flat pitch, England felt under pressure for most of the day. Perhaps it’s because the stakes are so high – a defeat here would surely end their hopes of regaining the Ashes.
If England were rightly criticized for their reckless batting in Perth, they must be commended for their willingness to graft here. Still, the shots of Brook, Jacks and Ollie Pope, and the unnecessary departure of Stokes, were gifts for Australia.
In the midst of the maelstrom, Root stood tall to achieve one of the few missing milestones in a brilliant career. This was his 40th Test ton. Few, if any, will have been sweeter.
His value in the context of the match is unknown, although the position with Archer, England’s highest for the 10th wicket in Australia for 74 years, is priceless.
The pitch could become uneven and Australia will eventually have to bat under lights. Thanks to Root, England have Ashes hope. For now.