Joe Root scored his second century of the Ashes series on Monday to move to 41 overall and draw level in third place with Australia’s Ricky Ponting on the all-time list.

The Englishman’s latest exploits means he is now behind only India’s Sachin Tendulkar (51) and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (45) on the all-time Test century-making list.

The prolific England star, 72 overnight, brought up three figures with two off Michael Neser after a composed innings at the fifth and final Test against Australia at a sold-out SCG.

The 35-year-old, who is also second on the all-time run-scoring tally behind only Tendulkar, went on to score a magnificent 160 as England were eventually dismissed for 384 at tea on day two.

His superb innings was ended courtesy of a brilliant caught-and-bowled by Neser.

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It was his second ton of the series, and first with a red ball, after his majestic unbeaten 138 in the day-night Test at Brisbane snapped a three-figure drought in Australia over three previous Ashes tours.

Root, who made his Test debut in 2012, is playing in his 163rd Test.

– AFP

Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images