As the 2025/26 Ashes series between England and Australia kicks off this week, all eyes fall on Joe Root, not just as one of England’s batting pillars, but as a player with an unusually striking hole in his career: he has yet to score a Test century on Australian soil.
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A Stellar Career With One Glaring Gap
Root has established himself as one of England’s most prolific Test batsmen. With over 13,543 Test runs to his name, he is second only to Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time list. Yet, despite this longevity and success, his record in Australia stands out; in 14 Tests Down Under, he still awaits his first hundred, averaging only 35.68.
Veteran Australian cricket figures say that if Root wants to be firmly considered among the “greats”, he must break this barrier.
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The Ashes 2025/26
Joe Root
Series Top Batter
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What Makes Australia Such A Challenge?
Root’s technique is widely admired, with elegant cover drives, timing, and the ability to build big innings. However, the Australian conditions present a unique test. Formerly, Root has found his preferred shots (like gliding the ball behind square on the offside) less effective on the higher-bounce, sharper Australian surfaces.
Add to that the relentless pace attacks he has faced, from the Mitchell Johnson era to the current one of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, and the narrative becomes clearer. The statistical anomaly is not for lack of talent, but for the harshness of the challenge.
Why This Ashes Tour Feels Different
At 34 years old, Root arrives in Australia with more than 150 Test appearances, a renewed focus and a clearing of distractions (no longer captain, fewer off-field burdens).
His recent form remains rich, and his hunger to “tick off” that first Aussie hundred adds a narrative spice to the series. A milestone here would not only be personal but historical.
The Stakes Are High
- A century in Australia would elevate Root’s legacy: while he already boasts 39 Test hundreds, crossing that last frontier would reshape how his achievements are viewed among the all-time elite.
- England need their senior batsman to fire: Australia will be tough to beat, especially on home soil, and Root playing well will anchor their batting.
- Psychological edge: For Root himself, the barrier of the century Down Under looms large; for Australia, preventing him from achieving it becomes a matter of pride.
