India, Dec. 4 -- Joe Root finally erased one of the few remaining gaps in his glittering career record on Thursday, scoring his first Test century in Australia during the day-night Ashes Test at the Gabba. The long-awaited hundred ended a 15-Test drought in Australia stretching back to his debut Ashes tour in 2013.

Arriving at the crease in the third over with England in deep trouble at 5-2 after Mitchell Starc's searing opening burst, Root steadied the innings with trademark calm. The No. 1-ranked Test batter compiled his century with grit and precision, reaching the milestone off 181 balls under the lights and in front of a packed crowd of 37,117.

Root was 88 not out at the drinks break midway through the night session before moving i...