Root equals Ponting’s feat after 41st Test ton

England star is now among the leading Test centurymakers, with only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) having scored more hundreds

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Joe Root made his second hundred of the series, while Travis Head closed in on his third, as Day 2 of the final Ashes test between Australia and England closed evenly poised Monday.

England was bowled out just before tea for 384 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Joe Root leading with a masterful 160 for his best test score in the country from his four Ashes tours.

At stumps, Australia was 166-2 in reply in its first innings, with Travis Head again in imperious form as he slashed his way to 91 not out from 87 balls and nearing his third hundred of the five-match series.

Ben Stokes had both wickets for the tourists, which struggled to stem the flow of runs in the final session but the wicket of the well-set Marnus Labuschagne late in the day buoyed England's hopes.