England Takes Charge on Day One of Second Ashes Test in Brisbane

Day One Highlights of the Second Ashes Test

Brisbane [Australia], December 4: The opening day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, featuring a pink ball, was filled with excitement, concluding with England in a strong position. Key moments included Joe Root silencing critics with his first Test century in Australia and Mitchell Starc achieving a remarkable six-wicket haul, surpassing the legendary Wasim Akram to become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test history.

At the end of the first day, England stood at 325/9. A rapid partnership between Root and Jofra Archer propelled England past the 300-run mark after they had been struggling at 264/9. Historically, no team has lost a day-night Test after scoring over 300 runs in their first innings, which bodes well for England.

Root finished the day unbeaten on 135 from 202 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six, with a strike rate exceeding 66. After reaching his century, he accelerated his scoring, even executing a stylish reverse ramp shot.

This marked Root's 40th Test century, bringing him closer to overtaking Australian great Ricky Ponting, who has 41 centuries, to become the third-highest century-maker in Test cricket, trailing only Jacques Kallis (45) and Sachin Tendulkar (51).

Entering the Ashes series after a stellar performance against India, where he amassed 537 runs in nine innings at an average of 67.12, including three centuries, Root had yet to score a century in Australia. His achievement in this match adds to his impressive legacy, as he is already the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket with over 13,000 runs, aiming to surpass Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,921 runs and 51 centuries in 200 Tests.

After a disappointing first Test in Perth, where he scored 0 and 8, Root finally found his form in his 16th Test and 30th innings in Australia, particularly in this pink-ball, day-night format.

In his Australian Test career, Root has accumulated 1,035 runs at an average of 38.33, including one century and nine fifties across 16 Tests and 30 innings. Overall, he has scored 13,686 runs at an average of 51.45, with 40 centuries and 66 fifties, boasting a highest score of 262 after 160 Tests and 291 innings.

Root's score of 135* is the highest by an England player on the first day of a Test in Australia since Michael Vaughan's 177 at the Adelaide Oval in 2002.

Starc also delivered an impressive performance, achieving his sixth five-wicket haul in pink-ball Tests, the most by any bowler, and raising his total pink-ball Test wickets to 87, the highest in history. His teammates Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins have only 43 each, highlighting Starc's dominance. The 35-year-old has now surpassed Akram's record of 414 wickets, solidifying his status as the most accomplished left-arm pacer in Test cricket.

In 102 Tests, Starc has taken 418 wickets at an average of 26.42, with best figures of 7/58, including 18 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Australian Test history.

In the match, England won the toss and chose to bat first. After Starc's early strikes reduced England to 5/2, Root formed a crucial 117-run partnership with Zak Crawley, who scored 76 off 93 balls. Another significant partnership with Harry Brook (31 off 33 balls) followed.

Australia made key breakthroughs, including a run-out of England captain Ben Stokes (19) by Josh Inglis, leaving England at 264/9. However, Root's aggressive batting alongside Archer (32* off 26 balls) helped England finish the day at 325/9 after 74 overs.