Archive · 6 Jan 2026
Root Ties Ponting's Record
Joe Root, a famous cricket player from England, scored his 41st century in Test matches, which is a big deal because it ties him with another famous player, Ricky Ponting, who is from Australia.
Root scored 160 runs before he was out.
This makes Root the player with the third-most centuries in Test cricket history.
Meanwhile, Travis Head from Australia scored 91 runs without getting out, helping his team reach 166 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.
England had scored 384 runs in their first innings.
Root praised Head's incredible hand-eye coordination and his ability to score runs.
Head is currently the top run-scorer in this Ashes series, surpassing David Warner's previous record.
The match was also affected by some arguments between players and bad weather on the first day, which made it hard to play.
Joe Root scored his 41st Test century, equaling Ricky Ponting's record, with a score of 160 runs off 242 balls.
Root achieved this milestone in his 163rd Test match, while Ponting took 168 Tests.
This is Root's second century in the ongoing Ashes series, with the first in the Brisbane Test.
England posted 384 runs in their first innings, while Australia reached 166 for 2 in response, with Travis Head scoring an unbeaten 91 off 87 balls.
Travis Head is the top run-scorer in this Ashes series with 528 runs, surpassing David Warner's previous record of 532 runs in 2013-14.
- Who
- Joe Root, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Stokes
- What
- Joe Root scored his 41st Test century, equaling Ricky Ponting's record, and Travis Head scored an unbeaten 91 for Australia
- When
- During the ongoing final Ashes Test in Sydney, Day 2
- Where
- Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia
- Why
- Root scored his 41st Test century, matching Ponting's record, and Head helped Australia reach 166/2 in response to England's 384
- Player
- Joe Root
- Milestone
- 41st Test century
- Match
- Sydney Test, Ashes 2023
- Innings Score
- 160 runs
- Balls Faced
- 242
- Total Tests
- 163
- Total Runs
- 13,937
- Opponent
- Australia
- Australia's Score
- 166/2
- Travis Head's Score
- 91* off 87 balls
- Travis Head's Ashes Runs
- 528 runs
- David Warner's Ashes Runs
- 532 runs (2013-14)
- Steve Smith's Ashes Runs
- 774 runs (2019) and 687 runs (2017-2018)
- Ricky Ponting's Ashes Runs
- 576 runs (2006-07)
- Michael Hussey's Ashes Runs
- 570 runs (2010-2011)
Sources
Joe Root equals Ricky Ponting’s record for third-most Test centuries during Ashes final
England's Joe Root Hints At Another Ashes Tour After 41st Test Century
Ashes: Travis Head leads Australia’s charge in Sydney after Root’s record-breaking 160
‘Should you touch another player? The answer is no’: AUS legends react after Stokes-Labuschagne SCG mid-pitch exchange
Ashes 5th Test: Travis Head's Unbeaten 91 Helps Australia Close On 166/2 After Eventful Day Two
Ashes: AUS reach 166/2 at stumps on Day 2 after ENG dismissed for 384
Ashes: England great Joe Root hints at another Ashes tour after levelling Ponting’s tally
'Another Opportunity to Recreate...': Joe Root Reflects On His Second Series Century In Fifth Ashes Test
‘I don’t think he will lose his hunger… will play another Ashes in Australia’: Michael Vaughan on Joe Root’s hunger for runs
Why Joe Root’s troubles against Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Jasprit Bumrah prevent him from becoming an all-time Test great
'There was method': Root explains Smith's risky shot
Ashes | ‘He’s got such incredible hand-eye coordination. He is always looking to throw punches…’: Joe Root praises Travis Head
Will Joe Root Retire Amid Sachin Tendulkar's Record Chase? England Legend's Big Hint Post Ashes Ton
Australia Vs England 5th Ashes Test Day 3 Live Score: Follow Scorecard And Match Action From Sydney
Travis Head Equals Record Of Most 100s By Australian Opener In An Ashes Series
Ashes: Relief for England; Head dismissed for 163
Australia women's captain warns Ben Stokes for ‘little trip’ after ugly verbal spat with Marnus Labuschagne during Ashes
SCG Test, Day 3: Travis Head’s 163 helps Australia cut ENG’s first-inning deficit; Smith eyes Ashes ton
Joe Root, Head’s batting mastery highlights Day 2
Steve Smith pips Sachin Tendulkar with 37th Test century at SCG, surpasses England legend in Ashes ton tally
Ashes 5th Test: Head, Smith Tons Power Australia to 134-Run Lead Over England on Day 3
Steve Smith closes on Sir Don Bradman in elusive Ashes company, goes past India great Rahul Dravid after SCG hundred
'Captain, Leader, Match-Winner': Steve Smith Breaks The Internet With 37th Test Ton As England Stumble On The Third Day Of Sydney Test
Steve Smith Breaks 96-Year-Old Record With Scintillating Century In 5th Ashes Test
Steve Smith becomes second-highest run-getter in Ashes as Australia post 518/7
Steve Smith & Travis Head's Centuries Propel Australia Ahead, Hosts Secure Lead By 134 Runs At Stumps on Day 3
Smith chases Bradman’s Ashes record with SCG ton as Australia take lead on day 3
‘Was ok if Virat Kohli retired from cricket, but dissapointing he chose to play ODIs’: Sanjay Manjrekar
Ashes: Head, Smith carry Aus to 518/7 at stumps on Day 3 in Sydney
