England's batting stalwart Joe Root has etched his name deeper into cricketing history, scoring his second century of the ongoing Ashes series. The monumental knock, crafted on Monday in Sydney, marks his 41st Test hundred, bringing him level with Australian legend Ricky Ponting for third place on the all-time list.
A Masterclass in Composure at the SCG
Resuming day two of the fifth and final Test on 72, Root displayed immense calm and skill to guide England's innings. The prolific right-hander reached the coveted three-figure mark with a couple of runs off Australian bowler Michael Neser. His 146-ball stay at the crease was decorated with 11 boundaries, showcasing his classic stroke play.
This century is particularly significant as it is his first with the red ball in this series, following an unbeaten 138 in the day-night Test at Brisbane. That Brisbane innings had ended a long drought of centuries in Australia for Root, spanning three previous Ashes tours.
Joining the Pantheon of Greats
Root's latest feat solidifies his position among the game's greatest run-scorers. With 41 centuries, he now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ricky Ponting. Only two batsmen now stand ahead of him: India's iconic Sachin Tendulkar with 51 centuries and South Africa's Jacques Kallis with 45.
The 35-year-old Yorkshireman is already second on the all-time list of Test run-scorers, trailing only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Having made his Test debut in 2012, this was his 163rd match in the longest format, underlining his remarkable consistency and longevity at the highest level.
Root's Dominance in the Modern Era
Root's appetite for big scores in recent years is unmatched. Since the start of 2021, he has amassed a staggering 24 Test centuries. This puts him far ahead of his contemporaries, with the next best—players like Steven Smith, Kane Williamson, Harry Brook, and Shubman Gill—having scored 10 each in the same period.
This series has also seen him join an elite group of English batsmen. He is now one of only four England players since 1994/95 to score multiple hundreds in an away Ashes series, alongside Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, and Jonathan Trott.
His masterful innings in Sydney propelled England to 272 for 5 midway through the morning session on day two, giving the visitors a solid platform in their bid to salvage pride in the final Test of the series.
