Joe Root finally got his Ashes century in Australia, and he seemed almost too calm about it. After nudging Scott Boland for the runs, his celebration was just a little shrug. It was like he was summing up 12 years of waiting, struggle, and constant attention. Root has been carrying England’s batting since he was a young player back in 2013. This wasn’t just another score. It was a weight off his shoulders, a quiet win over a story that’s been following him for years.
In 2013, Joe Root arrived in Australia with high expectations, seen as England’s rising star. Few would have guessed that this talented young batter would struggle so much there, never achieving a Test century or a big victory. Over the years, Australia became a place of disappointment for Root. He faced a series of losses, personal challenges, wasted chances, and constant criticism. Despite his success in other places, a century in Australia remained elusive. With each tour, the question of whether Root would ever succeed in Australia loomed larger.
That weight clarifies the emotion behind his century in the 2025–26 Ashes. The relief wasn’t just about the 181 balls he faced that day. It was about the 2,213 balls he had survived through years of failure. Root’s prep for this series showed how consumed he was. He trained all day at Lilac Hills, facing so many balls that the bowlers needed lunch and tea breaks to keep up. It was the kind of obsessive grind only someone haunted by the past would do. When his moment came, it felt less like an achievement and more like a release.
Ben Stokes clearly felt the weight of the moment too. As Root’s teammate since their debut in 2013, he’d seen the highs and lows of every Australia series – from the heartbreak of 2017-18 to the tough times of 2021-22. So, when Root hit his 11th boundary, Stokes yelled “Go ball!” like he was watching a close friend finally achieve something big. Their tough times together have clearly made their bond strong, and Stokes understood how much this century meant to Root’s career.
Root’s innings was anything but flawless. He had a shaky start at the Gabba, a pitch known for its bounce and movement, with a few close calls and missed shots. Mitchell Starc almost got him out at 2. After Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were quickly dismissed, Root came in earlier than planned, facing the 16th ball with the score at 5 for 2. It brought back memories of the difficult 2013–14 tour when he often had to bat sooner than expected. But this time, he stood his ground.
Zak Crawley’s quick 71 at the other end gave Root the space he needed to get comfortable. Crawley took charge during their 117-run partnership, letting Root play it cool for a while before he started to pick up the pace. Once Root got into the 40s, his footwork got sharper, his wrists loosened up, and his classic timing came back. He started moving forward against Boland, hitting some great drives and doing controlled pull shots with the calm precision that’s all his own.
Even when wickets were falling all around him—Harry Brook’s messy out, Stokes getting run-out, and the middle order falling apart—Root kept England going. He stayed calm when everything was going wrong, making him seem like the only grown-up among a group of players with raw but unpredictable talents. When he finally scored his century during a 5-for-54 collapse, it felt like a victory hard-earned through tough times. Then, he landed a reverse scoop for six—his first in Australia—showing he was playing without any fear on this tour for the first time.
At the close of play, Root was not out with 135, and England had 325 for 9. His innings were key for a team trying to stay in the series. His partnership with Jofra Archer brought a helpful 61 runs, pulling England out of a tough spot. The century changed more than just the score; it shifted the story of the Ashes. Before the series, people said England needed other players to perform so Root wouldn’t have to do all the work. But, like always, Root held the innings together, handled the pressure, and gave England hope again.
This showing doesn’t just protect Joe Root’s reputation. It makes it even better. Root, who’s probably England’s best hitter now, did what people thought he couldn’t do. He did it like himself—gracefully, toughly, and with a simple attitude.