Joe Root 'Ready' to End 13-Year Drought of Test Century in Australia

England's experienced batter Joe Root feels he is prepared to put his long wait for a Test hundred in Australia behind him as the Ashes 2025-26 is nearing. Root has made nine fifties in 27 innings in Australia, with a personal record of 89 in the 2021 Brisbane Test, but the elusive hundred continues to elude him.

While speaking about breaking the drought, Root said:

"But I think I am ready for it. Big series are the ones you want to play in and contribute in."

Root Ready for New Test Under Stokes-McCullum Regime

Ever since England's last Ashes tour in 2021, Root has been the most run-consistent batter of world cricket. He ended 2021 with an astonishing 1708 runs, topping the world Test run charts. In the next three years, he continued this manner with 1098 runs in 2022, 787 runs in 2023, and 1556 runs in 2024. During 2025, he already has 571 runs in 10 innings.

Earlier this year, Root also surpassed Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, only behind Sachin Tendulkar.

And now that there is no captaincy weight on his shoulders, Root believes he is in a much improved place to play without inhibition.

Root said to Sky Sports:

"I feel I am in a different place to when I last went out there. I haven’t got the responsibility of captaincy and I am a lot more experienced. I have had a good couple of years coming in and I have learned good lessons from my previous tours there as a batter and senior player."

Emphasize Team Success Rather Than Personal Achievements

Root also feels England have the chance to bring an end to their 14-year Ashes series drought in Australia. This is their initial Test tour in Australia under the Stokes-McCullum captaincy, which is famous for its aggressive "Bazball" style.

Root:

"I feel that is the opportunity in front of us that we have to chase and grab. If I am doing my role in the team then personal accolades will come, but it’s not the main focus. It’s about winning that urn back as it has been a long time since we held it.”

The 34-year-old also added:

"I feel we have some serious resources to take out there and hit Australia with. Hopefully we can get that right so if I am scoring heavily it gives us a chance."

The opening Test of the five-match Ashes campaign gets underway on November 21 in Perth, as part of England's bid to win back the prized urn.