Coming into the Ashes 2025/26, the former England captain and star batter, Joe Root, had a massive monkey on his back with no century in Tests down under in the Ashes series. When he landed in Perth for the opening Test, he was dubbed ‘Average Joe’ by the Western Australia newspaper. Even though he didn’t let the emotions float, there was an internal pressure.

Joe Root walked into the middle with England losing two early wickets in the innings. They saw their opening batter, Ben Duckett, getting an outside edge into the hands of the slip fielder while their number three, Ollie Pope, ended up getting the short ball on to the stumps against Mitchell Starc.

See Also: Watch: Michael Neser dismisses Zak Crawley for 76 during 2nd D/N Test in Ashes 2025/26 in Brisbane

Root batted with pure authority despite not getting any support from the other end. The right-handed batter dashed a fine glance between the stumps for a boundary to celebrate his maiden century in Tests, which came in the day-night Pink-ball Tests at the Gabba during the Ashes 2025/26.

Watch: Joe Root’s parents react to Root’s maiden Test century in Australia during Ashes 2025/26

Root’s parents were present at the stadium when their son reached his century. His father, Matt Root, was visibly emotional and proud, sharing a heartfelt moment and speaking publicly about his son’s achievements. His mother was also crying. Their praying was incredible when Root was two short of the landmark.

A moment the Root family will never forget ❤️#Ashes pic.twitter.com/Ybo2tSdRJg

— England's Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) December 4, 2025

Root remained unbeaten on 138 runs in 206 balls at a strike rate of 66.89 with the help of 15 boundaries and one six. It became the highest individual score by any batter against Australia in a day-night Test match, going past Asad Shafiq’s 136 in 2016. England finished with 334 runs on the board in the first innings, which is again the second-highest team score in a D/N Test against the Aussies.

Apart from Root, Zak Crawley nailed 76 runs in 93 balls with the help of 11 boundaries at a strike rate of 81.72, while Jofra Archer clubbed 38 runs in 36 balls at a strike rate of 105.56, shouldering on two boundaries and two sixes.