Root’s first century in Australia gives England edge as Starc topples Akram

Joe Root’s first Ashes century for England came on the opening day of the second Test in Brisbane, beating Mitchell Starc, who had six wickets to go.

After a late flogging of the pink ball under the Gabba floodlights on Thursday, Root led England 325 for nine after captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat. The team finished unbeaten on 135 off 202 balls.

In the final test, number 11 batter Zak Crawley fumbled off a pair of ducks from Perth to score a respectable 76, while number 11 batter Jofra Archer scored a handy 32 not out in a never-broken 61-run partnership.

After Starc’s disastrous start, opener Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope both fell for ducks in the space of four balls, and the pair came together to rally England in a 117-run partnership.

Joe “keeps it simple,” Crawley told TNT Sports, “he just concentrates on the runs that needed to be scored on the day.”

“With or against him, he is the best player I’ve ever played.”

England enjoyed tea at 196 for four for dinner with Root and Crawley in charge at 98 for two on a hot, sunny afternoon.

The brilliant Starc, who defeated Wasim Akram to become the most prolific left-arm seamer in Tests with 415 dismissals when he took his third wicket after Harry Brook was caught in the slips for 31 against, thwarted their hopes of putting together a sizable total.

After the first game, there was a significant gap, but I felt calm today and was able to unclog my nerves, according to Crawley, who also scored two in the opening test.

“I made an effort to keep it simple. Because the pitch was getting a little flatter, I was gutted to leave when I did.

I adhered to my own clear plan. If they entered my area and onto my pads, I made an effort to hit the ball hard.

“I need to leave a little more outside the off stump, but there were still some loose shots in there, and I felt like I could play a few more on that side when I was in, and the ball was soft.”

Starc then slammed through the lower order to finish the day’s 6-71.

Starc described his accomplishment of moving above the former Pakistan seamer as “one of the best ever with the ball” as “one of the best ever with the ball”.

“I believe the pink ball still reminds me of a white ball, it was a good-paced wicket, and Root has batted well.”

When the ball goes soft, it is difficult to bowl with, according to the statement.

Australia surprised the world when they eliminated Nathan Lyon from their first home test since 2012 and selected Michael Neser for a four-pronged seam attack.

Steve Smith, the skipper of Australia, confirmed Travis Head will start for the hosts after his match-winning 123 in Perth, with Usman Khawaja out injured.

Josh Inglis, the wicketkeeper-batter, occupies Head’s customary middle-order spot.

Will Jacks, a spin-bowling all-rounder, was chosen to replace Mark Wood as England’s four-pronged seam attack.