Each sport has moments that define great players as all-time legends. Lionel Messi’s World Cup victory, Roger Federer’s long-awaited title at Roland Garros, and Rory McIlroy’s pursuit of a Masters victory all represent moments that define a career. For Joe Root, one final achievement stands between him and cricketing immortality a Test century on Australian soil.
Joe Root’s Legacy So Far
Joe Root is already established as one of England’s all-time greats. A World Cup champion, Ashes victor, England’s second-highest run-scorer of all time, and even a Test match five-wicket haul, Root’s list of achievements says it all.
His longevity and consistency have him in the list of most revered names in world cricket. And yet, for all his mind-boggling success, there remains one glaring absence to Root’s résumé: a century in Australia.
Root’s Near Misses in Australia
Root came desperately close to three figures in Australia and missed out narrowly. His nearest was a tough 89 in Brisbane during the 2021 Ashes while his team went down in heavy defeat.
This can be attributed to the team’s overall performance in Australian conditions.
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– His first Ashes tour in 2013 found Root subdued by Mitchell Johnson’s intense pace.
– In 2017-18, as captain, he had to retire at 58* in Sydney due to illness, robbing him of a possible century.
– In 2021-22, with the weight of captaincy, he managed only 32.2 average through the series.
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Master at Home, Struggler Away
While England has been a hindrance, Root has excelled in England. With four Ashes centuries at home, including his unbeaten 118 at Edgbaston in 2023, Root excels in conditions he knows. But until he raises his bat in triumph on Australian soil, his record will look incomplete.
A Transformed Batter Since Captaincy
Since giving up the captaincy, Joe Root has hit a golden patch.
– He has hit 16 centuries in three years.
– He surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the second best Test run-scorer ever.
– He has quietened critics who had questioned his capacity to turn fifties into hundreds.
– He averaged over 67 in the historic 2023 India series.
Now the world No.1 Test batsman, with teammate Harry Brook not far behind, Root takes to Australian shores at the height of his powers.
The Importance of the 2025-26 Ashes
Root is 34 now and knows the stakes involved. This might be his last opportunity to do it. It is possible this is the last chance for him to do so. Unlike past tours, Root has a great support group around him.
– Harry Brook is his trusted partner in the middle order.
– Ben Stokes remains an experienced Ashes performer.
– England’s solid opening pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett means Root will not be exposed to the new ball too soon.
Even outside conditions appear encouraging, with the series opener in Perth rather than the intimidating Gabba in Brisbane.
Root’s Prioritization of Team Glory Over Individual Records
Despite of the pressure, Root maintains that team victory is paramount. To quote:
“This tour isn’t about me making 100. It’s about us winning an Ashes series. If big scores come, they’ll help us do exactly that.”
This is his maturity and his status as England’s batting anchor. But at the back of his mind, Root understands that a century in Australia will wipe out the last “but” in discussions about his legacy.
Why the Australian Century Matters
To Joe Root, Australia is the last frontier. Without a century Down Under, his record will be open to unjustified comparisons with those legends who conquered their final barriers. As Federer needed Roland Garros, as Messi needed the World Cup, Root needed an Ashes century in hostile Australian conditions.
The Now or Never Moment
At 34, Root’s most compelling chance is now. If he turns his form into a hundred against Australia, there will be no argument remaining. Joe Root will be not only the greatest English batsman ever but firmly among cricket’s all-time greats.
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