In a stunning turn of events on the opening day of the second Ashes Test, Joe Root and Jofra Archer achieved something extraordinary. Facing the end of the day’s play with England at 264 for nine, the pair not only survived the remaining deliveries but forged an unbroken 61-run partnership for the tenth wicket. This remarkable stand propelled England’s score to a commanding 325 at stumps, while simultaneously echoing a remarkable feat from a century ago in Ashes history.
When the ninth wicket fell, England’s batting lineup appeared to be faltering, despite captain Joe Root’s maiden Test century on Australian soil. However, Jofra Archer’s aggressive approach at the crease changed the narrative. He fearlessly attacked the bowling, combining effectively with Root to add a crucial 61 runs without being dismissed. This partnership secured England’s strong position of 325 for nine at the close of play.
This 61-run partnership marks the first time in 100 years that a tenth-wicket stand of 50 or more runs has been achieved in the first innings of an Ashes Test in Australia. The last occurrence dates back to 1925, when Australia’s Arthur Mailey and Jack Ryder contributed 73 runs for the final wicket, significantly boosting their team’s total. The current feat by Root and Archer is a historic moment, reviving a nearly forgotten aspect of Ashes lore.
Looking beyond the century-old record, this partnership also mirrors a more recent Ashes milestone. It has been 43 years since a tenth-wicket partnership of over 50 runs was recorded in an Ashes Test down under. The last pair to accomplish this was Australia’s Allan Border and Jeff Thomson, who put on a 70-run stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the 1982 Boxing Day Test. The historical significance of Root and Archer’s stand is undeniable.
This exceptional late-order batting has placed England in a highly advantageous position for the second Ashes Test. Given the historical trend of lower scores in day-night Tests in Australia, and the fact that no team has ever lost a pink-ball Test after scoring 300 or more in the first innings, Australia faces a formidable challenge. Their batters will need to perform exceptionally well to gain an advantage, and crucially, they must break the Root-Archer partnership early on the second day.