Australia And England introduced another interesting chapter of ash Theater at the Sydney Cricket Ground as the fifth test begins 2025-26 series The second day’s play began in dramatic fashion under pink ball lights. Offering enough for the seamers on the surface, but more accurate than earlier in the series, England played brilliantly Joe Root Masterclass made a strong score of 384 runs in its first innings.
Joe Root equals Ricky Ponting with his 41st Test century
Root played a brilliant inning of 160 runs in the Pink Test, his second century in the series and his 41st century in Test cricket, equal to the Australian legend. ricky ponting In the list of all-time centuries. When he punched the landmark reached the route in classic style Michael Nesser He took two wickets on the field to reach three figures off 146 balls, causing the SCG crowd to roar as he clenched his fists, raised his bat and kissed the England badge in a moment that made clear his status as the heartbeat of this team.
On the prestigious stage of the Ashes and in the prestigious Pink Test dedicated to the McGrath Foundation, Root’s innings felt like the centerpiece of the narrative of the series, especially considering Australia’s long chase of centuries early in his career. Fans lauded him on social platforms and celebrated the symmetry of Ponting’s match in his own backyard, underscoring how far Root has come among the greats of Test batsmen.
Root arrived with England tottering at 57/3 after a strong strike with the new ball. Mitchell StarcNeser and Scott BolandBut he immediately established his composure with his impeccable balance, soft hands and surgical strike rotation. Their partnership of 154 runs harry brook Changed the innings for the fourth wicket; Brook’s counter-attacking innings of 84 runs off 97 balls with six fours and a six reduced the pressure and forced Australia’s attack onto the defensive lines. Even with rain, bad light and several interruptions, the first day’s score was 211/3, but Root came back with new focus on the second day, scoring 150 from 226 balls off 72 on the night and eventually fell victim to a sharp return catch from Neser on 160, denying him his first double century in this series due to individual brilliance.
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Here’s how fans reacted:
Sachin set the pinnacle
Joe Root still has some way to go#ash #Ashes2025pic.twitter.com/XsFNZR8sqn
– Bella (@Boundary_Babe) 5 January 2026
Most Test centuries by Fab 4 (January 2026 update): Joe Root – 41* (163 matches) 👑
Steve Smith – 36 (123 matches)
Kane Williamson – 33 (108 matches)
Virat Kohli – 30 (123 matches) Root equals Ponting with his latest Ashes masterpiece! England’s run-machine… pic.twitter.com/msr47zjych– Vikram Singh 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@deora40676) 5 January 2026
Brilliant 100 runs by Joe Root
came to 51/2
Score becomes 57/3
Scored a brilliant 160 runs
Formed an important partnership with Harry Brook, who also scored a brilliant 84. pic.twitter.com/1G0V2ct8hb– Shashank (@sas_3343) 5 January 2026
🚨The Difference of 1984 Only Walks🚨
Sachin Tendulkar- 15921 runs.
Joe Root- 13937 runs pic.twitter.com/ltMVb8bnGW
– Ravi (@RaviWritess) 5 January 2026
24 test centuries in England
4 test centuries in west indies
3 test centuries in india
3 test centuries in new zealand
3 test centuries in sri lanka
2 test centuries in australia
First Test hundred in South Africa
1 test hundred in pakistanJoe Root is England’s greatest batsman… pic.twitter.com/pMp6AQWB3Q
– Rahul Yadav (@RahulYadav61762) 5 January 2026
Joe Root climbs the all-time ladder:
– 150+ test scores more than Ricky Ponting and Mahela Jayawardene
– Only 3 less than Sachin Tendulkar (highest in Tests)
– Just 1 less than Don Bradman
– 2 less than Brian Lara and Kumar Sangakkara
– Now ranked 5th all-time for 150+… pic.twitter.com/BrPoG5KQPM-Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintivari952) 5 January 2026
🏟Most Test centuries among the Fab Four
Joe Root – 41* in 163 matches
Steve Smith – 36 in 123 matches
Kane Williamson – 33 in 108 matches
Virat Kohli – 30 in 123 matches#jroot #stevesmith #ash #Ashes2025 #ash25 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/w5BMSHF8NU– Rahul Yadav (@RahulYadav61762) 5 January 2026
Joe Root’s brilliant 160 at the SCG – his 41st Test century, equaling Ponting’s and his second in this series. We haven’t talked enough about his talent. To me, he is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. pure class. #ash #jroot, pic.twitter.com/sNlt1bJbPg
– Manas Pisolkar (@ManasPisolkar) 5 January 2026
🗣️ Root can’t score a century in Australia
Joe Root scored two centuries with two different colored balls in this Ashes. pic.twitter.com/JtRRkh3Rtm
– Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) 5 January 2026
Joe Root’s masterclass at SCG 🌟#jroot #Ashes2025 #crickettwitter pic.twitter.com/tgDDP05qJv
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 5 January 2026
England’s 384 runs put Australia under initial pressure
Given that the bowlers have dominated this Ashes, England’s total of 384 felt even bigger, and it was built around meaningful contributions through the order after Root and Brook had set the stage. jamie smith Taking his luck before getting the flow, added a crucial 46, while will jacks‘ A patient 27 in a 50-run partnership with Root for the seventh wicket helped push England past 350 and dash Australia’s hopes of an early win.
The innings flowed in clear phases: early collapse at 51/2, consolidation at 114/3 by lunch on the first day, then momentum by the afternoon as the Root-Brooke partnership took England past 200 and eventually 226/4 before Brook was out. At 336/6 at lunch on the second day, Root was on 138 and shortly after the second new ball was taken, Australia’s fast bowlers were in their third and fourth spells and the pink ball had lost most of its grip, giving Root the opportunity to turn the tail and take England to 384 in 97.3 overs.
