In a significant milestone, Joe Root has now equalled Ricky Ponting’s record of 41 centuries in Test cricket. Root’s 41st century came in the final Ashes Test at Sydney’s iconic SCG on Monday. Ponting, with 13,378 runs from 168 Tests, holds an average of 51.85, along with 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries in his remarkable cricketing career.

Joe Root brought up his 41st century in 146 balls during the first innings of England on Day 2 of the Sydney Test. This century was his second in the current Ashes series, the first coming in the pink-ball Test in Brisbane. Root’s 24 Test centuries since 2021 now stand as the highest by any player in that period.

Joe Root now sits in the prestigious list of players with the most Test centuries, trailing only South African great Jacques Kallis (45) and Sachin Tendulkar (51). The England star is also closing in on 14,000 Test runs, having accumulated 13,777 runs from 162 matches and 296 innings, at an exceptional average of 50.83.

England held a firm grip on the game at Lunch on Day 2, reaching 336/6 in 78 overs in their first innings. Will Jacks (3* from 11 balls) and Joe Root (138* from 200 balls, including 14 fours) were still at the crease, with the seventh-wicket partnership adding 13 runs off 20 balls.

Root brought up his 150, but his innings was eventually ended at 160, thanks to a stunning caught and bowled by Michael Neser. This was Root’s second century on the tour, having never crossed the 100-run mark in his previous 14 Tests in Australia before this series.

England were dismissed for 384, with the Australian opening duo of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald compiling a solid half-century partnership in response. At 57-1, Weatherald fell to a Stokes, while Head (82*) and Marnus Labuschagne (48) are currently at the crease, with Australia on 155-1.