Joe Root Shatters Kapil Dev’s Long-Standing Record After 36 Years
England’s Joe Root has made headlines for both a personal achievement and an unwanted record following his team’s loss to Australia in the Gabba Test. Root scored his first century in Australia, an impressive 138 runs, but it wasn’t enough to prevent an eight-wicket defeat, leaving England trailing 2-0 in the 2025 Ashes series. This loss also marked Root’s 16th match in Australia without a victory, surpassing the previous record held by Kapil Dev for the most matches played in an away country without a win.
Root’s Milestone Century
Joe Root’s performance at the Gabba was a significant highlight for the England team. His unbeaten 138 runs off 206 balls not only marked his first century on Australian soil but also set a new record for the highest score by a visiting team in a pink-ball Test in Australia. Despite Root’s efforts, England’s first innings total of 334 was overshadowed by Australia’s dominant response, as the hosts piled on 511 runs, establishing a substantial first-innings lead of 177 runs.
In England’s second innings, the team struggled, managing only 241 runs, with Root contributing a mere 15 runs. Australia then chased down the modest target of 65 runs in just 10 overs, sealing the match and further solidifying their dominance in the series.
Record-Breaking Streak
The defeat at the Gabba has placed Joe Root in the record books for the wrong reasons. His 16 matches without a win in Australia has eclipsed Kapil Dev’s previous record of 15 matches without a victory in Pakistan. Among visiting players, Daniel Vettori ranks second with 12 winless games, while Ben Stokes and Dawid Malan follow closely with 11 and 10, respectively. Root’s record in Australia now stands at 14 losses in 16 games, with only James Anderson and Alastair Cook experiencing more defeats in the country.
The significance of Root’s achievement is underscored by the fact that he has been a consistent presence in England’s Ashes tours since 2013, participating in 16 out of 17 matches. The last time England secured a victory in Australia was during the 2011 Sydney Test, where they won the Ashes 3-1.
England’s Ongoing Struggles
England’s current streak of 17 matches without a win in Australia ties them with Pakistan (1955-present) and West Indies (1997-2024). They are just one match shy of New Zealand’s record of 18 winless matches in Australia from 1985 to 2011. Under Root’s captaincy, England has faced heavy defeats in the Ashes series, including a 5-0 loss in the 2013-14 series and 4-0 defeats in both the 2017-18 and 2021-22 series.
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