Top 5 Ashes batting performances of the last decade

Joe Root – 134, Cardiff 2015

The first test of an Ashes series. Fresh from a 5-0 whitewash, courtesy the alpha of test-match bowling, Mitchell Johnson. Typically murky English conditions. Team down in the dumps at 43-3 on Day 1. Enter Joe Root with a beautiful counter-punching innings that set the tone for the test, and the series.

Accompanied by Ballance and Stokes, Root took the aggressive route to nullify the threat of the Australian pace trio of Starc, Hazlewood, and Johnson. His 134 came off just 166 balls, and by the time he left the crease, the English team were at a stage from where they could dictate the terms of the match.

And they did, winning the game by 169 runs and Joe Root was, rightfully, adjudged the man-of-the-match for his effort.