England has been bowled out for 384 after superstar Joe Root celebrated his 41st Test century on day two of the New Year’s Ashes Test at the SCG.
Unbeaten overnight on 72, the Yorkshireman compiled an elegant 160 to steer England towards its highest score of the series, while seamer Michael Neser was the pick of the Australian bowlers with four wickets.
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Resuming on Monday at 3-211, England lost the dangerous Harry Brook in the third over of the day after the Yorkshireman flashed at a wide delivery and edged toward first slip, where rival captain Steve Smith held onto a fast chance. Brook departed 16 runs short of a maiden Ashes hundred, while his marathon partnership with Root ended on 169.
Shortly after, England captain Ben Stokes fell victim to Mitchell Starc for the 14th time in Tests, feathering an unplayable delivery that reared off a good length through to gloveman Alex Carey. The Australians successfully overturned the on-field decision following a lengthy review from third umpire Kumar Dharmasena, with a small spike appearing on Snicko.
There were a few nervy moments for Root in the nineties, edging seamer Michael Neser over the cordon before another nick dropped agonisingly short of first slip, but the former England captain held his nerve and reached triple figures with a firm punch down the ground, offering a subdued celebration after passing the milestone in 146 deliveries.
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Although Root looked completely unfazed in the middle, England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was living dangerously throughout the morning session, at one stage hooking Starc over fine leg for a six.
The swashbuckling right-hander had seemingly fallen to all-rounder Cameron Green for 22 when he lazily chipped to cover, only to be handed a massive reprieve after replays showed the West Australian had overstepped the crease by an inch. The following delivery, Green drew the outside edge only for the Kookaburra to sail safely between Carey and a baffled Beau Webster at first slip.
The double blunder denied Australia’s bowlers a chance to expose England’s tail before lunch, with Root and Smith rubbing salt into the wounds by forming a 94-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
With ten minutes remaining in the session, part-timer Marnus Labschagne produced a flurry of bouncers with seven fielders of the boundary in hopes of inducing a top edge, and the ploy worked when Smith inexplicably backed away and flat-batted towards deep cover, gone for 46.
Root passed 150 for the 17th time in Tests and added a further 52 runs alongside all-rounder Will Jacks before a late collapse of 4-9, with Neser steaming through the England tail during the afternoon session.
Jacks was caught at gully for 27 before Green redeemed himself with the dismissal of Brydon Carse, sheepishly looking back to the umpire to make sure he hadn’t overstepped again.
