Cardiff, Wales (AP): Joe Root shouldered the immense expectations on him as England's most reliable batsman by scoring a century that took the momentum from Australia on the first day of the first Ashes test on Wednesday.
In superb form, he fearlessly attacked Australia for 134 in piloting England to 343-7 at stumps, a decent score on a so-so Sophia Gardens pitch after electing to bat first and running into immediate trouble.
Luck was with Root.
Captain Alastair Cook and Ian Bell had just gone in successive overs, England was 43-3 in overcast conditions and, on the second ball he faced, Root tried to jam a Mitchell Starc delivery and edged behind.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin dived to his right, the ball flew into the middle of his right glove, and dropped out.
