Vaughan on Root’s hundred
Michael Vaughan said on Kayo Sports: “His 40th (century), and his most precious, has just arrived. That was the one that he wanted.
“All the talk leading into this series was ‘will Joe Root get three figures in Australia?’. Well, in his third innings of the series he’s done it off the back of a difficult week in Perth.
“For England to compete they need that man. It was a technical masterclass from England’s best player.”
(Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)
Mike Jones4 December 2025 12:13
Hayden relieved after Root ton
Ahead of the series Matthew Hayden had pledged to “walk nude” around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Root was unable to end his lack of centuries in Australia.
The former Australia opener said: “Congratulations mate on a hundred here in Australia.
“It took you a while and there was no one that had more skin in the game than me, literally.
“I was backing you for a hundred in a good way, so congratulations. You little ripper, mate, have a beauty and bloody enjoy it.”
Mike Jones4 December 2025 12:09
Crawley’s post match thoughts
Zak Crawley banished the memories of his pair in Perth with a finely worked 76 alongside Joe Root’s 135*.
He spoke to TNT Sports after the day’s play ended to talk about it.
“It wasn’t quite as good as Joe [Root] but I’ll take it. I felt good – much better than Perth,” Crawley said.
“I was just trying to keep it simple, score straight and on the leg side. I was happy with my knock. I was gutted to get out when I did. The pitch was getting flatter. We finished well with Joe and Jof.
“Ducky [Ben Duckett] also wanted [to bat at two]. He gets to choose. I was more than happy to face the first one.”
(Getty Images)
Mike Jones4 December 2025 12:04
Root’s century was superb
Test Match’s Special’s Jonathan Agnew says that Joe Root’s century today was ‘superb’ especially with the pressure he ws under.
“All the pressure on Joe Root today – the Aussies have given him a hard time,” he said.
“That shrug at the end and he kind of said, ‘What’s all the fuss about boys?’
“The century in Australia aside, that was a superb hundred. The fact it was his first in Australia is coincidental.
“He knuckled down, fought hard, risk-averse, he left a lot alone. He was much more careful with his shot selection.
“He loves batting. He is at home when he is batting and that was a masterful innings today.”
(Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)
Mike Jones4 December 2025 11:59
How Root builts his innings
Joe Root is without doubt England’s most traditional batter and his innings shows that he grew more confident the longer he stayed in:
First 50 runs – 18% false shots, 35% attacking shots.
Next 50 runs – 13% false shots, 33% attacking shots.
After his century – 9% false shots, 52% attacking shots.
Mike Jones4 December 2025 11:55
Starc on the state of the game
“Today it was a soft ball, but good Test cricket I guess,” said Starc when asked to sum up the day’s play.
“A couple of Yorkshiremen between the wickets and Joe batted well there.
“Once that ball goes soft it is not the easiest thing to score with and it’s certainly not the easiest to bowl with.
“Proper Test cricket, albeit a pink ball. A solid’s day Test cricket.”
(Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)
Mike Jones4 December 2025 11:51
Post match thoughts from Mitchell Starc
Australia’s key man, Mitchell Starc, was in the wickets once more having taken 10 at Perth.
He took six again today and is single handedly keeping Australia’s hopes alive.
He’s also the most prolific bowler with the pink ball and spoke about that at stumps.
“I get asked all the time [why he’s good with the pink ball], but I still don’t know,” he said.
“It is what it is. I still think it’s like a white ball.”
Mike Jones4 December 2025 11:47
A partnership to remember
Joe Root and Jofra Archer’s partnership of 61 runs from 44 balls was the third highest 10th wicket partnership of all time at the Gabba.
The duo are still batting and can increase that on Friday as well.
(REUTERS)
Mike Jones4 December 2025 11:42
England have slight advantage at end of day one
It’s a close run thing but I’d say England have the slight advantage after day one.
Joe Root has scored his first hundred in Australia and England are still batting with over 300 on the board.
The Australians will be frustrated by how the closing stages of that session went.
Mike Jones4 December 2025 11:38
Stumps: England 325-9
Michael Neser has the ball in hand for the final over of the day.
England’s counterattack has taken on an air of caution. Both Root and Archer are keeping the ball on the floor so Smith brings in the field.
Root takes one and leaves Archer to face the rest of the over.
He calls through for one and there’s another single for Root as well.
Neser’s final two deliveries see Archer solidly defend.
Mike Jones4 December 2025 11:31
