England's batting maestro, Joe Root, finally conquered a long-standing hurdle by scoring his first Test century on Australian soil during the opening day of the Pink Ball Test at the Gabba. This milestone, achieved in his 15th Test match Down Under, ended a 12-year and 29-innings wait for a ton in Australia. The momentous occasion prompted his parents, Matt and Helen Root, to share a remarkable family anecdote that connects their son's birth to the very fabric of the Ashes rivalry.
A Birth Steeped in Ashes History
While celebrating their son's achievement on the TNT Sports panel, Joe Root's father, Matt, unveiled a story that seems almost destined. He revealed that Joe Root was born on December 30, 1990, while he and his wife Helen were listening to the radio commentary of the Melbourne Ashes Test. "35 years ago, when she was in labour we were listening to the Melbourne Test, weren't we?" Matt reminisced.
That particular Test match saw England, led by David Gower who scored a century, succumb to an eight-wicket defeat against Australia. The hosts' victory was powered by a spectacular 13-wicket haul from pace bowler Bruce Reid. Unbeknownst to the cricketing world, a future England captain was entering the world on the same day the match concluded.
The Long-Awaited Australian Century
The relief and joy for Joe Root were palpable as he reached the three-figure mark at the Gabba. His celebration was a characteristic shrug, a gesture his parents later interpreted as him wondering what all the fuss was about. His mother, Helen, provided insight into his childhood, stating, "He just loved playing cricket. He had a bat in his hand ever since he could walk."
Matt admitted to feeling nervous during the innings, especially when Mitchell Starc was causing trouble early on. "I was nervous when Starc was swinging the ball all over the place," he said. However, he noted that Joe often gets out more frequently before reaching double figures than in the nervous nineties. "It was great for him to get over the line," the proud father added.
Family Celebrations and Team Focus
When asked by former England captain Michael Vaughan on Kayo Sports about how they celebrated the century, Matt Root gave a delightfully simple answer: "Last night we had some kebab and a bottle of wine." Despite the personal milestone, the family's focus remained firmly on the team's success.
Helen Root emphasised this point, saying, "Everybody has been talking about this monkey on his back... But this century will really only matter to him, it will be the most important, only if England win the Test." This sentiment underscores the team-first attitude that has defined Joe Root's career.
The century at the Gabba is more than just a personal statistic for Root; it is a narrative deeply intertwined with his family's history and his lifelong connection with the sport. From listening to the Ashes in the delivery room to scoring a century in one, Joe Root's journey has come a full, poetic circle on Australian soil.
