Joe Root has solidified his legacy in cricket with a remarkable innings that could reshape England’s fortunes in the Ashes series. His current score of 135 runs signals a potential victory for England in Brisbane, a city where they last won in 1986. This match also marks a significant moment as it could be England’s first win in a day-night Test in Australia and their first win in the country since 2011.
Root’s Journey Through Adversity
Throughout his career, Root has faced considerable challenges. Since his first tour in the 2013-14 Ashes, he has participated in 16 winless Tests. During his initial tour, he was the standout player in a struggling team but was dropped for the final match in Sydney. Four years later, he captained England back to Australia only to end up hospitalized after enduring extreme heat during a 4-0 series defeat.
In the 2021-22 series, Root faced another setback, suffering injuries in the Adelaide day-night Test. Under his captaincy, England finished with another 4-0 defeat amidst the hardships of Covid restrictions, marking a challenging end to his leadership.
A Pivotal Moment for England
This series is likely to be Root’s last Ashes tour to Australia. England will return in 15 months for a historic 150th anniversary Test, but Root will be nearly 39 years old by then. The pressure to succeed in Australia is immense, with long-standing beliefs that players are judged on their performances there.
Legacy Reinforced
Despite being portrayed as “Average Joe” by some Australian media due to his lack of centuries in the country, Root’s recent innings has prompted a reevaluation of his status. Darren Lehmann, Root’s former coach, previously omitted him from discussions of all-time greats until he scored a century in Australia. With this innings, Root has finally earned his place among cricket legends.
- England Ashes Victories: Last win in Brisbane in 1986
- Days since last victory in Australia: 2011
- Test Matches without a century in Australia: 29 innings prior to current match
Root’s performance has not only brought England closer to reclaiming the urn, but it has also left an indelible mark on cricket history. His contributions may ultimately secure him a legendary status in the sport.
