Root's century rescues England in Ashes opener

England were all out for 430 runs in their first innings of the first Ashes Test match at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday.

Joe Root scored 134 runs against Australia in the first Ashes Test. Reuters / Philip Brown

Resuming at their overnight score of 343 for seven, the remaining three England batsmen added 87 runs before their innings folded. Moeen Ali, who was 26 not out overnight, scored 77 runs.

However, it was Joe Root's heroics that helped England get out of a precarious situation. The middle order batsman led an impressive fightback after his side was struggling at 43 for 3 yesterday.

The 24-year-old scored 134 runs to put England in a position of strength.

It could have gone all wrong for Root as he was dropped on zero after Australia’s wicketkeeper Brad Haddin failed to hold on to a one-handed chance off fast bowler Mitchell Starc.

Root was ably supported in a fourth-wicket stand of 153 by Gary Ballance, who made 61.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc took five wickets while Josh Hazelwood and Nathan Lyon took three and two wickets respectively.

Speaking after the match, Root said that he was fortunate to have been dropped early in his innings.

"It could have gone completely the other way, and I could have got out second ball ... then you look a little bit silly. But I had that fortune today, and made the most of it,” he said.

This was Root’s fifth hundred in 13 Tests since he was recalled after being dropped in January 2014.