On his fourth Ashes tour, the 34-year-old silenced critics who argued he could not join cricket’s elite without a hundred Down Under. Zak Crawley supported him with a gritty 76 in a 117-run stand, later calling Root “the best player I’ve ever played with or against.”
But the day also belonged to Mitchell Starc, who claimed 6-71 and overtook Pakistan legend Wasim Akram to become the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history with 418 wickets. Starc humbly responded, “Wasim’s still the pinnacle,” even after breaking the record. His two early strikes — Ben Duckett for a golden duck and Ollie Pope bowled — gave Australia a dream start under lights.
Late fireworks came from No. 11 Jofra Archer, who smashed 32 off 26 balls, including two towering sixes, to set a new England 10th-wicket partnership record at the Gabba with Root.
In a shock move, Australia dropped off-spinner Nathan Lyon for seamer Michael Neser, marking their first home Test without a frontline spinner in almost 14 years. England’s tempered approach after their collapse in Perth helped them survive the evening session, leaving the contest delicately poised.
