05 January,2026 07:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Joe Root (Pic: File Pic)
In the fifth Test match of the Ashes series against Australia, England's batting maestro Joe Root scored an unbeaten 160 runs off 242 deliveries. His knock also included 15 boundaries.
Reflecting on his knock at the post-match presser, Root said that the pitch seemed to be trickier, but the aim was to maximise the innings.
"It felt like yesterday was much batting, and it was much trickier today. It was about making sure to maximise that first innings, look at the surface and see how it plays out with time. It was pleasing and got it right to a degree today," said Root.
The right-handed batsman then said he looked at the opportunities and was also looking to replicate the feeling of the victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"When you have played as long as I have, you are going to experience a lot of different things, and one thing I look at is opportunities. I do not know how many opportunities I am going to get to come here. It was great to win at MCG, and it was another opportunity today to help us get into a position of strength and try replicating that feeling once again (of what the team experienced in Melbourne) for the group," he said.
Root is also hopeful that the series will be helpful for the youngsters who have travelled to Australia for the first time for the Ashes.
"Hopefully, it benefits the team going forward when they come next time here. There are a lot of players playing for the first time in Australia, and when they have these positive memories, it will help them win. The baggage that the previous generation faced might not be there for them. There is so much to play for in the next three days," said the 35-year-old cricketer.
With his century, Root slammed his 41st Test 100, going level with Australian legend Ricky Ponting for the joint-most third centuries in Test cricket. He has been England's top run-getter and overall second-highest run-getter, with 394 runs in five Tests and nine matches at an average of 49.25, with two centuries.
(With ANI Inputs)
