60 m. ago Joe Root silences his last remaining critics with England century for the Ashes history books

Root’s 135 not out in Brisbane finally ended his long wait for a ton on Australian soil and gave England a platform to revive their Ashes hopes in the second Test

Culture

71 m. ago Joe Root ends long wait for century in Australia to give England Ashes hope

Root hits sublime 135 not out as tourists reach 325 for nine after thrilling opening to day-night showdown at the Gabba

Politics

92 m. ago Joe Root ends wait for Test century in Australia to boost England’s Ashes hopes

The former captain, playing his 16th Test and 30th innings Down Under, ended the day with an imperious 135 not out.

Politics

95 m. ago Root finally makes century in Australia and late burst gives England edge after Starc salvo

Second Test, day one: England 325-9Starc takes six but Root and Archer add 61 for final wicketIt was one of the most intense opening days to a Test match in recent memory. The Gabba was like a cauldron, the air as thick as soup, and with the pink ball zipping around for Mitchell Starc as he continued his bulldozing start to the series, the pressure on England felt relentless.And yet at 8.38pm local time this all melted away as Joe Root tickled Scott Boland for four to seal his 40th Test century and – far more notably – his first on Australian soil. Root insisted this tour was never about addressing the gap in his otherwise stellar CV but, even for the most self-effacing of masters, the sense of relief out in the middle was palpable. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago England’s Joe Root secures his first Ashes century in Australia

Root’s lack of a three-figure score in any format in Australia was a major subplot ahead of this series.

Politics

2 h. ago Australia v England: Ashes second Test, Joe Root hits century on day one – live

Updates from the day-nighter at the Gabba in Brisbane Max Rushden: I was fearing for Crawley, not Duckett Ashes top 100 | Get the Spin newsletter | Email TanyaAustralia: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett.The speculation comes to a close but the debate will continue across the afternoon at least, as Australia turn to a horses for course approach with Nathan Lyon left out of a home Test for the first time in almost 14 years. The off-spinner was also omitted from the XI in Australia’s most recent pink-ball Test in the Caribbean, but it still feels like a huge call to leave out a bowler who has claimed 562 wickets. Michael Neser comes in to add more pace in the day-night Test, as well as reducing the length of the Australia tail. Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago Ashes: Joe Root hits first Test century in Australia amid chaotic start to second Test

Matthew Hayden’s blushes spared as Root takes full advantage of early reprieve with sparkling ton at the Gabba

Events

4 h. ago Ashes 2025 live score: Root eyes first Australia century with England innings on knife

Ben Stokes’ side eye redemption at the iconic Brisbane stadium after a humiliating first Test loss to Australia inside two days

Politics

6 d. ago Are England actually honest with themselves? If they are, they’ll know they have to change | Mark Ramprakash

Ben Stokes’s batters must realise the aggressive option doesn’t always mean attacking Australia’s bowlers, and if they don’t, it could be all over in BrisbaneIt’s not over yet. There is still hope. Before the Ashes started I had plenty of it, because of England’s fantastic array of fast bowlers and because I felt they had improved on their crash‑bang‑wallop, one-size‑fits‑all approach to batting. Then the series got under way, and while the bowlers did their bit, the batters failed badly. After the two-day humiliation in Perth they are inevitably under the microscope – but while everyone is questioning England’s approach, how much are they challenging themselves?I based my optimism on some of what I had seen over the summer. In the first innings against India at Lord’s Joe Root and Ollie Pope put on 109 runs at almost exactly three an over, staying calm and building a foundation that eventually won their side the match. I watched that and admired the way they had refined their attit...

Politics

2 w. ago TMS stats man says which Ashes team of the past England should look to for hope

England go in search of their first win Down Under since the 2010-11 series.

Politics