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Joe Root Joins Ponting with 41st Test Ton in Ashes SCG Epic

Joe Root scored his 41st Test century on day two of the Sydney Ashes Test, drawing level with Ricky Ponting for third on the all-time men's list. He reached the milestone in his 163rd Test, five matches faster than the Australian legend. The knock was built on crucial partnerships, including a 169-run stand with Harry Brook. Root's resistance ended at 384 when he was caught brilliantly by Michael Neser off his own bowling.

Key Points: Joe Root's 41st Test Century Ties Ricky Ponting's Record

  • Root's 41st Test ton ties Ponting
  • Achieved in 163 Tests vs Ponting's 168
  • First red-ball SCG century for Root
  • Key partnerships with Brook & Smith
  • Dismissed by Neser's brilliant catch
2 min read

Ashes: Root equals Ponting's record after 41st Test ton at SCG

Joe Root equals Ricky Ponting's 41 Test centuries in the Ashes at the SCG, marking his first red-ball hundred at the iconic ground.

"Root equalled Ponting's total of 41 Test centuries, doing so in fewer matches. - Article"

Sydney, Jan 5

England's batting mainstay Joe Root once again underlined his mastery of the Ashes as he gone level with Ricky Ponting in equal-third in the all-time men's Test century list, bringing up his 41st hundred on day two of the Sydney Test.

Root equalled Ponting's total of 41 Test centuries, doing so in fewer matches. Ponting achieved the feat across 168 Tests between 1995 and 2012, while Root reached the same mark in his 163rd appearance since debuting against India in Nagpur in December 2012. The knock was also the first international century of the 2026 calendar year.

It's the second century for Root on the tour who had curiously not reached the magical mark in 14 Test matches held in Australia before the current series.

Beginning Day 2 on 72, the 35-year-old occupied the crease throughout the morning session, guiding England to 272 for 5. He struck 11 boundaries while confidently managing an Australian attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Cameron Green and Neser.

Before this tour, he had never scored an international hundred on Australian soil. That narrative changed earlier in the series when he produced an unbeaten 138 in the Brisbane day-night Test, and the Sydney effort marked his maiden red-ball hundred at the SCG, highlighting his growing influence as the series progressed.

Root's stay at the crease was built on substantial partnerships that gradually blunted Australia's bowlers. He shared a 169-run stand with Harry Brook that spanned late on Day 1 and the opening stages of Day 2. That was followed by a 94-run partnership with Jamie Smith, which further tested the hosts before Smith fell shortly before lunch.

A seventh-wicket stand of 52 with Will Jacks kept England pushing towards a commanding total, but Jacks' dismissal sparked a late collapse, and the visitors were eventually dismissed for 384.

While Root remained at the crease, England looked well set to surpass the 400-run mark. Australia finally found relief through a moment of brilliance from Neser. Bowling the opening delivery of the 98th over, he extracted extra bounce that caught Root by surprise, the ball striking high on the bat as Root attempted a flick.

Neser reacted instantly, sprinting across and diving to his right to complete a superb one-handed catch that brought an end to Root's resistance.

On the third delivery of the over, Neser picked Josh Tongue as England closed their first innings with 384 runs on board.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Great innings from Root. But honestly, the Ashes feels a bit one-sided these days. Would love to see more competitive series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The intensity there is something else.
R
Rohit P
Brilliant knock. But let's be real, the bowling attack he faced wasn't exactly the legendary Aussie pace battery of old. Starc is world-class, but the others? Still, a ton is a ton, and 41 is a huge number. Well played.
A
Ananya R
His technique is so pleasing to watch. Very few batters have that kind of grace under pressure. Hope our young Indian batters were watching. That's how you build an innings on a tough day.
K
Karthik V
Ponting in 168 matches, Root in 163. The stats speak for themselves. Modern great, no doubt. Wonder if he can catch up to Sachin's 51? That's a mountain to climb, but he has a few years left.
M
Meera T
Finally scoring a hundred in Australia after so long must be a huge relief for him. Shows his mental strength. The catch by Neser to dismiss him was absolutely world-class though! What a match.

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