Ashes 2025-26:Joe Root eager to score his first century against Australia Down Under

England talismanic batter Joe Root, who scored nine half-centuries against Australia Down Under in the longest format of the game, is aiming to score his first century when England tours Australia for the Ashes, scheduled to start in November this year.

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The Ashes, which is set to be a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, is set to start on November 21 and conclude on January 8 next year at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.

The No.1-ranked Test batter, who recently emerged as the second-leading Test run-scorer, has a decent average of 35.68 from 27 Test innings against Australia Down Under despite scoring 39 Test tons across his impressive career.

"Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd Test caps under my belt, I feel I couldn't be more ready for it. The thing that stands out for me is that I probably wanted it (a century) way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important,” Root told, as quoted by the ICC.

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"There were a lot of distractions. I was captain, Covid (in 2021-22), there was the (Ben) Stokes incident the time before that, the Jonny (Bairstow) headbutt incident as well. This time, I want to just go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It is a beautiful country, it is a great place to go and play cricket. I know if I put my best performances in, then everything else will look after itself,” he added.

Ashes 2025-26 series schedule:

First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-25, 8:00 AM IST

Second Test: Gabba, December 4-8, 9:30 AM IST

Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21, 5:30 AM IST

Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30, 5:30 AM IST

Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8, 5:30 AM IST

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