Joe Root not 'dud' anymore: Aussie media makes U-turn after England star smashes maiden ton Down Under

Joe Root has finally scored an Ashes century in Australia and that has forced even his worst critics to take back their words. Root slammed a composed hundred on the opening day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday to end his long wait for a ton on Australian soil.

Root remained unbeaten on 138 from 206 balls as England could add only nine runs to their overnight score and were bowled out for 334 early on the second day at the Gabba. The effort from the former England captain was enough for him to silence his critics.

‘Not bad Root after all’

HE'S FINALLY DONE IT!

Joe Root has his first #Ashes century in Australia.

Live blog: https://t.co/2htO3lMX8d pic.twitter.com/9uZ26zQnPp

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 4, 2025

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The West Australian newspaper had jumped on to Root’s failures in the opening Test and called him names. The second-highest scorer in the history of Test cricket was primed to end his century jinx in Australia on this tour but got out cheaply in both the innings of England's stunning defeat inside two days in the series opener.

The West Australian had termed the former England captain “average Joe” and called him “dud Root down under”. His average of just 36 Down Under compared to his overall Test average of over 50 was pointed out by the newspaper to call him a “hero in the homeland and pretender in Australia”.

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The fact that he could not score a ton in Australia in 15 Test matches, was always used by his critics to show chinks in his otherwise glittering career in the traditional form of the game.

However, on Thursday, Root zipped the mouths of all his critics with an innings that has the potential to spark a comeback for the visitors in the ongoing Ashes.

The West Australian too conceded “Average Joe finally scores big in Australia.” “He is not a bad Root after all,” their headline read. The paper went even further and said that his ability to perform in this Ashes was “never doubted by anyone”.