Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Root Hits Century, Nears Tendulkar's Record
Joe Root, a famous England cricket player, scored his 41st century in Test cricket during the fifth Ashes Test against Australia.
He achieved this milestone in 146 balls, hitting 11 fours along the way.
This century is special because it equals the record set by Australian great Ricky Ponting.
Root had been waiting over a decade to score a century in Australia, and this is his second hundred of the series.
England is currently trailing 3-1 in the Ashes series, but a win in Sydney would earn them valuable points in the World Test Championship.
Root's performance is crucial for England's chances in the match and the series.
Joe Root scored his 41st Test century, equaling Ricky Ponting's record.
Root achieved this milestone in 146 balls, hitting 11 fours.
This is Root's second century of the Ashes series and his first in Australia in over a decade.
England is trailing 3-1 in the five-match Ashes series.
A win in Sydney would earn England 12 valuable points in the World Test Championship 2027.
- Who
- Joe Root
- What
- Scored his 41st Test century, equaling Ricky Ponting's record
- When
- Day 2 of the 5th Ashes Test 2025-26, Monday (Jan 5)
- Where
- Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Australia
- Why
- To help England recover in the ongoing Ashes series and narrow the gap in the World Test Championship standings
- Player
- Joe Root
- Milestone
- 41st Test century, equaling Ricky Ponting
- Match
- 5th Ashes Test 2025-26
- Opponent
- Australia
- Venue
- Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
- Innings
- 146 balls, 11 fours
- Series Standings
- England trails 3-1
- WTC Points
- 12 points for a win
Sources
Joe Root closes on Sachin Tendulkar after 2nd fifty in Ashes 2025-26; England fight hard at SCG after top-order failure
Ashes, SCG Test: Root, Brook put England ahead before bad light interrupts play on day 1
Brook Finally Silences His Critics
Ashes: Here’s what Vaughan, Brook and Gillespie think about bad light ending day one play at SCG
‘Have to be a little more patient’: Harry Brook after Day 1 of final Ashes Test
Michael Atherton on Harry Brook’s innings in Sydney Ashes Test on Day 1: ‘Lost the plot… was so lucky’
Michael Vaughan slams Zak Crawley after first-innings dismissal in Sydney Ashes Test: ‘Frustrates the life out of me’
Australia Vs England Live Score, Ashes 5th Test Day 2: Follow Scorecard And Match Action
STATS: Joe Root narrows Sachin Tendulkar’s lead to under 2000 runs, equals Ricky Ponting with 41st Test century in Sydney
AUS vs ENG, 5th Ashes: Joe Root goes level with Ricky Ponting after first Test century of 2026
England All Out for 384 in Final Ashes Test
Ashes: 3 more 150s and Joe Root levels Sachin Tendulkar's tally in Tests
Joe Root Equals Ricky Ponting's Elite Milestone, Continues To Shatter Records In Test Cricket
