Ashes 2023: Former England captain Joe Root on Friday created an all-time record when he smashed a century in the first Test of the Ashes 2023. England and Australia are locking horns against each other in the first Test of the five-match series in Birmingham. The 32-year-old surpassed Legendary batter Sir Don Bradman and his former teammater Alastair Cook with a special ton against the Aussies.
Root smashed his 30th Test hundred and went past Bradman's 29 Test ton feat. He also became the fastest English player to get to 30 tons in the longest format as he set an all-time record for the three lions. Root went past his former captain Cook as he made his 30th century in 239 innings, near half-a-dozen fewer than Cook took to reach the miletsone.
Root remained unbeaten on 118 off 152 balls and his hundred powered England close to 400 in the first innings. The English team declared in the final session of Day 1 on 393/8 after some wonderdul batting performances by the players.
Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow scored quick-fire fifties as England continued their famous 'Bazball' approach. The English team scored 124 inside 27 overs in the first session and kept the scoring rate around 5 an over. Crawley got to his half ton in the first session itself and got out what eventually became the final ball before lunch. He made 61 from 73 balls.
Meanwhile, Brook and Root carried the English team in the second session, before the former getting out in a strange manner on 32. Ben Stokes came and went out early, leaving England in trouble at 176/5. But Bairstow and Root steadied the ship with a century partnership for the 6th wicket. Bairstow was well set for his ton but got out on 78 from 78 balls.
