In the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, England’s renowned batsman Joe Root reached his 41st Test century. With the record knock, Joe Root tied Australian great Ricky Ponting for third place on the all-time list of Test hundreds, behind only Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar. As the visitors amassed a substantial first-innings total, Root’s century served as the cornerstone of England’s first innings.
After rain and poor lighting limited play on the first day, Joe Root took up England’s batting duties and resumed Day 2 on 72 not out. Harry Brook provided him with helpful support, and the two of them increased their partnership to 169 runs for the fourth wicket. Brook’s 84 helped the visitors take control of the middle overs, but a mini-collapse at the other end was caused by his dismissal to Scott Boland just before lunch.
Jamie Smith contributed with a useful 46 before being removed by Marnus Labuschagne, while Ben Stokes fell for a duck. As England reached the 350-run milestone, the right-handed batsman continued to reach his 150th. Michael Neser’s outstanding caught-and-bowled performance, which also resulted in four wickets, ultimately put an end to his innings at 160. In the end, England was bowled out for 384 in 97.3 overs.
Joe Root clutched one end firmly through it all. With a push for two, he got his century off 146 deliveries.
Joe Root brings up his second Test century in Australia 👏#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/bXwBXY7nw0
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2026
The five players that have the most Test hundreds
1. Sachin Tendulkar –51 centuries in 200 matches
2. Jacques Kallis – 45 centuries in 166 matches
3. Ricky Ponting – 41 centuries in 168 matches
4. Joe Root – 41 centuries in 163 matches
5. Kumar Sangakkara – 38 centuries in 134 matches
England had a mixed start to the innings. Zak Crawley (16) and Ben Duckett (27), the openers, got off to a strong start before Jacob Bethell’s expulsion placed England three down inside 60. Before the rain intervened, Root and Brook made sure England ended Day 1 in a solid position at 211 for 3.
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