Joe Root equals Ricky Ponting’s record for third-most Test centuries during Ashes final
The right-handed batter scored his 41st Test hundred at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday, achieving the milestone in his 163rd Test match.
The right-handed batter scored his 41st Test hundred at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday, achieving the milestone in his 163rd Test match.
The world’s top-ranked Test batter had endured three previous Ashes tours Down Under without tasting success, but that personal drought finally ended as England chased down a target of 175 in a dramatic two-day contest.
With the opening Test in Perth starting November 21, Root has again become a focal point in local discussions, especially given that he has yet to score a Test century in Australia.
Root heads into the series holding a firm lead at the top of the ICC Test batting rankings, but the seasoned campaigner has yet to conquer one of his biggest hurdles, performing consistently against Australia away from home.
While Root is winless in Tests against the Aussies away from home across 14 previous contests, it's the fact he has never scored a century on Australian shores that still concerns the 34-year-old heading into this year's tour.
Hussain also spoke about the prospect of handing over the role permanently to Stokes and stated it might not be a good idea to put further pressure on someone who is already giving the team everything in all three departments of the game.
Meanwhile, Stuart Broad backed Stokes to come good as a leader.
Ben Stokes, who is vice-captain of the Test team, will be taking over the reins during their first Test against West Indies with Joe Root sitting out.
Root stated that the fast bowlers are practicing in the nets without using saliva but they would get to know the real effects only when matches are played.
England are scheduled to take on West Indies for a three-match Test series in July, the bilateral cricket competition which will mark cricket resumption after the coronavirus outbreak.
