Joe Root snaps Ashes century curse in dominant day one performance against Australia

He’s done it. Joe Root has finally snapped cricket’s most celebrated batting curse, with his first Ashes century. Now suddenly a free man, the world’s No.1 Test batsman has alarm bells ringing in Australian camp.

Australia beware. Joe Root is suddenly a free man.

And armed. And dangerous.

World cricket’s most celebrated batting curse ended when the monkey that had deeply dug its claws into Root’s back as he went three and a bit Ashes tours without a century in Australia finally jumped off and galloped into the Gabba grandstand, never to be seen again.

Root’s celebration at his first century on Australian soil confirmed this was a moment of relief as much as jubilation.

After dipping his head and half punching the air, Root kissed his helmet then held out his hands wide as he looked at his smiling mates in the dressing room, as if to say “what about that boys? … thought I’d never get one … blow me down hey … at last.’’

It was his 40th Test century and Michael Vaughan called it the most precious of all. Now that he has shed his burden Root could become a particularly dangerous foe.

England's Joe Root celebrates after reaching his century on day one of the second Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England at The Gabba. Picture: AFP

Root arrived at the pitch with England in trouble at 2-5, but by the end of the night he was the man of the moment with 135 runs.

The dangerous free-spirited way he played after raising three figures, including a scooped six, proved this could be the payback tour.

It would not surprise if Root has a mega-innings on this tour where he balances the books for his years of torment.

Enough will never be enough.

Root played it smart by playing it differently, replacing Bazball with “V’’ ball.

Australia knows him well as the gifted stroke player who loves gliding balls behind point.

His deft, loose wristed dab shot is his bread and butter shot in England but tests him in Australia where high bouncing decks make him vulnerable.

In his first 100 runs Root hit 27% of his runs in the “V’’ between mid-on and mid-off with low risk straight drives and pushes. Smart stuff.

Never in any away century has his percentage been as high.

And he put the clampers on favourite dab shot behind point with just 16% of his runs coming there instead of the usual 30%.

After reaching three figures he immediately smacked a “I’m as free and you like’’ four, hit with the nonchalance of a man ripping a top off a celebratory stubbie.

From not having scored a century in 15 Tests in Australia, he may yet start to resemble the “other’’ Joe Root … the one who is the second highest run-scorer in Test cricket behind Sachin Tendulkar.

Not that he was ever terrible against Australia. He had averaged around 35 which is a pass mark for some but not if you are considered the best England batsman of all time.

His century will be widely celebrated in England for he is regarded as one of the game’s most decent men.

Originally published as Joe Root snaps Ashes century curse in dominant day one performance against Australia