Joe Root and Jofra Archer produced a stunning display of resilience and aggression in the dying moments of the opening day of the second Ashes Test, achieving a feat not seen in a century. With England precariously placed at 264 for nine, the duo combined for an unbroken 61-run partnership for the tenth wicket, lifting England to a solid 325 for nine by the close of play.
It was a remarkable turnaround after a day that had seen England’s batting struggle, even with Joe Root reaching his first Test century in Australia. As the light faded and wickets tumbled, Jofra Archer entered the fray with an attacking mindset. He played some audacious shots, complementing Joe Root’s steady presence, to build a crucial stand that shifted the momentum of the match.
This partnership between Root and Archer is historically significant, being the first time in 100 years that a tenth-wicket pairing has scored 50 or more runs in the first innings of an Ashes Test held in Australia. The previous instance occurred in 1925 when Arthur Mailey and Jack Ryder added 73 runs for Australia’s last wicket at the Adelaide Oval. Root and Archer have now etched their names into this rare piece of Ashes history.
Furthermore, this remarkable stand also marks the first time in 43 years that England has achieved a 10th wicket partnership of 50+ in an Ashes Test in Australia. The last pairing to do so were Allan Border and Jeff Thomson for Australia, who put on 70 runs in the 1982 Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The resilience shown by Root and Archer is a testament to their skill and determination.
The Root-Archer partnership has undoubtedly put England in a commanding position. Day-night Tests in Australia are often low-scoring affairs, and historical data suggests that teams scoring 300 or more in the first innings have never lost. Australia now faces the daunting task of not only batting exceptionally well in their first innings but also finding a way to dismiss this stubborn tenth-wicket pair early on the second day.