Ashes 2025-26: England's Joe Root equals Ricky Ponting with 41st Test ton

England's legendary batter Joe Root scored his 41st Test century during the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The record knock saw Root draw level with Australian legend Ricky Ponting on the all-time list of Test hundreds, placing him joint third behind only Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis. Root’s century anchored England’s first innings as the visitors posted a strong first-innings total.

Root, resuming Day 2 on 72 not out after rain and bad light curtailed play on the opening day, carried England’s batting responsibility. He found able support from Harry Brook, with the pair extending their partnership to 169 runs for the fourth wicket. Brook’s 84 helped the visitors anchor the middle-overs, but his dismissal to Scott Boland shortly before lunch triggered a mini-collapse at the other end.

Ben Stokes fell for a duck, while Jamie Smith chipped in with a valuable 46 before being dismissed by Marnus Labuschagne. Through it all, Root held one end strong. He reached his century off 146 deliveries with a push for two. The right-handed batter went on to bring up his 150 as England crossed the 350-run mark. His innings finally ended on 160 when Michael Neser produced a brilliant caught-and-bowled effort, also completing four wickets. England were eventually bowled out for 384 in 97.3 overs.

Top 5 players with most Test centuries

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

Earlier in the innings, England had a mixed start. Openers Ben Duckett (27) and Zak Crawley (16) began well before Jacob Bethell’s dismissal put England three down inside 60. From there, Root and Brook ensured England finished Day 1 in a strong position at 211 for 3 before the weather intervened.