The former captain, playing his 16th Test and 30th innings Down Under, ended the day with an imperious 135 not out.

Joe Root’s 13-year wait for a Test century on Australian soil finally came to an end as he breathed life into England’s Ashes dreams on a remarkable start to the day-night clash at the Gabba.

Root produced a knock of style, substance and Sheffield steel to end a career-long quest, filling one of the last major gaps on his glittering CV and shoring up his side after another battering at the hands of Mitchell Starc.

The former captain, playing his 16th Test and 30th innings Down Under, ended the day with an imperious 135 not out as England closed on 325 for nine.

The only other thing left for Root to achieve is a first Test win in Australia and at 264 for nine that seemed a

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