Joe Root breaks Asad Shafiq’s long-standing Test record against Australia

BRISBANE: England’s Joe Root became the highest individual scorer against Australia in day/night Tests, surpassing Pakistan’s Asad Shafiq, who held the record since 2016. 

Australia’s dominance in pink-ball Tests meant it took nine years for this record to be broken.

Root played a brilliant unbeaten 138 as England battled to a total of 334, despite wickets falling at regular intervals. 

The knock also eclipsed Shafiq’s 137 at the Gabba in 2016, with South African Faf du Plessis’ 118* in Adelaide the same year also part of the elite list of top scores.

Highest Individual Scores vs Australia in Day/Night Tests:

• 138* – Joe Root, Gabba 2025
• 137 – Asad Shafiq, Gabba 2016
• 118* – Faf du Plessis, Adelaide 2016
• 113 – Yasir Shah, Adelaide 2019
• 104 – Stephen Cook, Adelaide 2016

Root’s innings came after a lean start to the series, having scored just 8 runs in the first Test. 

Demonstrating grit and composure, he faced 206 balls and formed a crucial partnership with Zak Crawley, rescuing England from 5-2 after Ollie Pope’s early dismissal.

While Root and Crawley anchored the innings, England’s middle order faltered, with Ben Stokes (19), Jamie Smith (0) and Harry Brook (31) all falling cheaply.

Mitchell Starc led Australia’s bowling attack with a six-wicket haul, supported by Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland, who claimed one wicket each.

The visitors batted first and were bundled out for 334 in 76.2 overs, thanks to an unbeaten century by Joe Root, who scored 138 off 206 balls, including 15 fours and one six. 

Opening batter Zak Crawley also made a significant contribution with 76 off 93 deliveries, hitting 11 fours, while Jofra Archer played a crucial cameo of 38 off 36 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes.

Mitchell Starc spearheaded the Australian bowling attack, taking six wickets for 75 runs in 20 overs, supported by Michael Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett, who picked up one wicket each.

When this news was filed, the hosts were 292-5 in 57 overs, with Jake Weatherald top-scoring with 72 off 78 balls, including 12 fours and one six.

Marnus Labuschagne and skipper Steven Smith contributed 65 and 61 runs, respectively, while Cameron Green added 45 off 57 deliveries.

Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are now holding the innings together, with the team still trailing by less than 50 runs.