Massive Feat: Joe Root Matches Ricky Ponting’s 71 Test Centuries

England’s batting mainstay Joe Root etched his name deeper into cricket history by becoming the joint third-highest century-maker in Test cricket, equalling Australian legend Ricky Ponting with 41 Test hundreds. reached the milestone during the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

With this landmark century, now sits just behind South African great Jacques Kallis (45 centuries) and Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar (51 centuries) on the all-time list of most Test hundreds.

Root Joins an Elite Club

Joe Root’s 41st Test century places him among cricket’s most elite run-scorers. By matching Ricky Ponting’s tally, Root has underlined his remarkable consistency and longevity at the highest level of the game.

Ponting, one of the greatest batters of all time, amassed 13,378 runs in 168 Tests at an outstanding average of 51.85, registering 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries during his illustrious career. Root’s ability to now stand alongside such a giant of the game reflects his own enduring excellence across conditions and eras.

The Century: Calm, Control, and Class

Root brought up his 41st Test hundred in 146 deliveries during England’s first innings on Day 2 of the Sydney Test. It was his second century of the ongoing Ashes series, having earlier struck a memorable hundred in the pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

The knock once again highlighted Root’s hallmark traits:

Precise shot selection
Soft hands against pace
Supreme control against spin

Since the start of 2021, Root has scored 24 Test centuries, the most by any batter in this period—an extraordinary statistic that underlines his dominance in modern Test cricket.

Career Numbers That Define Greatness

The former England captain is also closing in on another monumental milestone, approaching 14,000 Test runs and currently standing at:

13,777 runs
162 Test matches
296 innings
Average: 50.83

These numbers place Root firmly among the most prolific batters in Test history, especially in an era where bowlers dominate with pace, data-driven strategies, and relentless schedules.

Match Situation: England in Command

Root’s century anchored England’s strong position in the match. At Lunch on Day 2, England were placed at 336/6 in 78 overs, with Root unbeaten on 138 off 200 balls, including 14 boundaries. He was joined at the crease by Will Jacks, who was 3 not out off 11 deliveries.

The seventh-wicket partnership had added 13 runs off 20 balls, keeping England firmly in control as they looked to post a substantial first-innings total.

Key Partnerships and Turning Points

The backbone of England’s innings was built around crucial partnerships:

Root and Harry Brook steadied the innings after early wickets, taking England past the 100-run mark.
The pair stitched together a 169-run stand for the fourth wicket, which proved decisive in shifting momentum England’s way.

Australia finally broke the partnership when Mitchell Starc dismissed Brook for 84 off 97 balls, an innings that included six fours and a six.

Later, Marnus Labuschagne ended the 94-run stand for the sixth wicket by removing Jamie Smith for 46 off 76 balls, an important breakthrough that prevented England from completely running away with the game.

How Day 1 Unfolded

England won the toss and elected to bat first. However, rain and bad light limited play to just 45 overs on Day 1, disrupting momentum.

The innings began with:

Zak Crawley scoring 16 off 29 balls
Ben Duckett contributing 27 off 24 balls

The opening pair added 35 runs before wickets fell in quick succession. Jacob Bethell managed 10 runs before departing, leaving England in a tricky position early.

Root and Brook then took control, guiding England safely through the first session and laying the foundation for dominance on Day 2.

Australia’s Bowling Effort

For Australia, the bowling effort was shared:

Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Michael Neser claimed one wicket each in the opening session.
Starc was the standout in the second session with key breakthroughs.
Labuschagne chipped in with a crucial wicket to halt England’s progress.

Despite these efforts, Root’s composure and partnerships ensured England maintained control.

What This Means for Root’s Legacy

The rise to joint third on the all-time Test centuries list is more than a numerical milestone. It reflects sustained excellence, adaptability across conditions, and remarkable consistency at the highest level of the game.

Sustained excellence across a decade
Adaptability in varied conditions
Mental resilience through leadership and team transitions

With only Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar ahead of him, Root’s place among the modern greats is now beyond debate.

Conclusion

Joe Root equalling Ricky Ponting’s tally of 41 Test centuries is a defining moment in his already storied career. Inching closer to Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis, Root continues to build a legacy founded on consistency, class, and relentless run-scoring.