Ashes 2025-26: Former Australian skipper feels Joe Root is 'better equipped than ever' to end century drought Down Under

Published - 22 Oct 2025, 12:06 IST | Updated - 22 Oct 2025, 12:06 IST

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels Joe Root has ironed out the few flaws in his technique and that should enable him to register a Test hundred in Australia. Root's highest Test score in the 27 innings he has played Down Under is 89.

Ponting mentioned that he has observed the manner in which Root has transformed his game in the past few months.

"I think he's better equipped now as a player than ever. Other times he's come here to Australia, he's had one or two little technical issues that on the extra bouncy wickets. And I have watched the way that he's played over the last 12 or 18 months, it looks like he's worked really hard on taking those motive dismissals out of play," stated Ponting, as quoted by ICC.

The former World Cup-winning skipper remarked how Root will have to get rid of the mental block to succeed in Australia.

"But you also know that little man that sits on your shoulder, he keeps telling you, you haven't done well here in the past and you haven't got 100 here. That's what it's a mental thing for him this series more than anything else. His game is magnificent at the moment. He's got to get over that little mental hurdle and get 100. And I actually think he will get that 100 this time around," he added.

Root has registered 892 runs at an average of 35.68 in the 14 Ashes Tests he has played in Australia. He has scored nine half-centuries and has copped two ducks. The 2025-26 Ashes will understandably be a vital series for England as the Three Lions have not won a single Test match in Australia since the 2010-11 season.

Root hopes to end century drought in Australia during Ashes

The series is scheduled to get underway in Perth on November 21. The fifth and final match will be get underway on Sunday, January 4.