England’s batting mainstay Joe Root once again showcased his mastery of the Ashes, leveling with Ricky Ponting for third place on the all-time men’s Test century list by scoring his 41st hundred on day two of the Sydney Test.
Root matched Ponting’s total of 41 Test centuries in fewer matches, achieving this milestone in his 163rd appearance since his debut against India in Nagpur in December 2012. Ponting, on the other hand, reached his mark over 168 Tests from 1995 to 2012. This century also marks the first international hundred of the 2026 calendar year.
This is Root’s second century on the tour, notably coming after he had not scored a hundred in 14 Test matches played in Australia before this series.
Starting Day 2 on 72, the 35-year-old dominated the morning session, helping England reach 272 for 5. He hit 11 boundaries while confidently tackling an Australian bowling attack that included Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, and Neser.
Prior to this tour, Root had never recorded an international hundred on Australian soil. However, he broke that trend earlier in the series with an unbeaten 138 in the Brisbane day-night Test. His performance in Sydney marked his first red-ball century at the SCG, underscoring his increasing impact as the series unfolded.
Root’s significant innings was supported by substantial partnerships that gradually wore down Australia’s bowlers. He shared a 169-run stand with Harry Brook, which extended from late on Day 1 into the early phase of Day 2. This was followed by a 94-run partnership with Jamie Smith, further applying pressure to the hosts before Smith fell just before lunch.
A seventh-wicket stand of 52 with Will Jacks kept England in pursuit of a commanding total, but Jacks’ dismissal triggered a late collapse, leaving the visitors all out at 384.
While Root was at the crease, England appeared poised to surpass the 400-run mark. However, Australia finally found relief through a moment of brilliance from Neser. In the 98th over, he bowled a delivery that extracted extra bounce, surprising Root and leading to a catch high on the bat as Root attempted a flick.
Neser reacted swiftly, diving to his right to complete a stunning one-handed catch, ending Root’s resistance. On the third delivery of the over, Neser dismissed Josh Tongue as England concluded their first innings at 384 runs.