Ashes: Joe Root brushes off rumours about final farewell to Australia

England’s Joe Root celebrates his century against Australia in Sydney on Monday. Pics/Getty Images

An imperious Joe Root hit a magnificent 160 to drive England to 384 in the fifth and final Ashes Test on Monday before Travis Head let rip to haul Australia back into the contest with a rapid-fire unbeaten 91.

Root's superb innings, his 41st ton to match Ricky Ponting, was only ended courtesy of a brilliant caught-and-bowled by Michael Neser, who finished with 4-60.

Australia were left to negotiate the final session of Day Two, which they did for the loss of Jake Weatherald (21) and Marnus Labuschagne (48).

By stumps, the hosts had raced to 166-2 with nightwatchman Neser on one alongside Head.

Travis Head in full flow against England on Monday

Earlier, England resumed at 211-3, but lost Harry Brook (84), Stokes (0) and Jamie Smith (46) before lunch.

The day belonged to Root, who started on 72 and reached an almost chanceless century off 146 balls to reaffirm his status as an all-time great.

Root said he would love to return for another Ashes tour of Australia. Root will be 39 when England next tour Australia and pundits believed this was likely his final farewell, with a salute to all corners of the ground when he walked off reinforcing the impression. But Root suggested that may not be the case. "I think you might be looking into it a little bit too much," he said when asked if it was a final goodbye to Australia.

"I just felt like we've had some amazing support throughout this series, and we've not been able to achieve what we set out to as a group.

"But at no point has that [support] ever wavered, and that's never wavered whenever I've come out here on tour, it's been exceptional. And it's a way of saying thank you, really."

Asked directly if he would be back in four years, Root replied: "Who knows? We'll see. I'd love to, but we'll see how things unfold in time."

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No. of centuries by Joe Root Down Under, he is the only Englishman to score a ton in the ongoing Ashes

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