Joe Root slams his first Test century in Australia:Hits 59th career ton in 2nd Ashes match, Mitchell Starc surpasses Wasim Akram’s wicket tally

England’s top run-scorer Joe Root finally scored a Test century in Australia. On Thursday, he completed his century off 181 balls at The Gabba Stadium in Brisbane. This was his 40th century in his Test career, but it was the first time he achieved this feat in Australia, and it came after playing 30 innings Down Under. Root has scored 59 centuries in his international career. On the first day of the second Ashes Test, England scored 325 runs, losing 9 wickets. Apart from Root, opener Zak Crawley scored 76 runs. For the home team, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc took 6 wickets. England’s poor start again despite winning the toss After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the English team lost 2 wickets for 5 runs. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope returned to the pavilion without opening their accounts. Mitchell Starc sent both of them back to the pavilion. Zak Crawley then formed a century partnership with Joe Root. Crawley was out after scoring 76 runs, breaking their 117-run partnership. Joe Root scores century down under after a long wait After losing 3 wickets, Root stabilised England’s 1st innings on one end. Harry Brook (31), captain Ben Stokes (19) and Jamie Smith (0) were dismissed in front of him. Will Jacks stayed for a while, but he too was caught out after scoring 19 runs. Root then hit a four towards fine leg off Scott Boland’s delivery and completed his 40th Test century. After Root scored his century, Gus Atkinson (4) and Brydon Carse (0) returned to the pavilion. Jofra Archer then scored runs quickly and made a fifty-run partnership with Root. By the end of the day’s play, the team had scored 325 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Root stayed unbeaten on 135 and Archer on 32. Mitchell Starc strikes hard again at Brisbane with 6-wicket haul Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc took 6 wickets. Michael Neser and Scott Boland got one wicket each. Brendan Doggett and Cameron Green could not take any wickets. Starc took 5-wickets in an innings for the sixth time in a Day-Night Test. He has taken 87 wickets in 28 innings across 15 matches. No other bowler has taken more wickets than him in Pink Ball Tests. In his 102nd Test, Starc surpassed Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 wickets. Australian veteran Mitchell Starc became the best left-arm pacer in Test history on Thursday (December 4, 2025), outclassing Pakistan great Wasim Akram. Recognising the unique feat, the PAK legend also congratulated Starc on his X account: Playing-11 of both teams England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer. Australia: Jack Vedrald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.