The Ashes: Joe Root would 'love to' make next tour of Australia at age 39 as Sydney ton hailed 'one of his best'

England's fourth-Test triumph in Melbourne was Root's first win in Australia in 18 attempts, the visitors having lost their three prior tours 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0, before also losing the first three this year to see the Ashes again slip away.

Quizzed as to whether he could see himself again as part of touring party in four years time, when 39, Root said he'd "love to" but stopped short of saying it was an ambition of his.

"One thing I always try and look at is opportunity," Root told reporters after notching his second Test ton in Australia on day two of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. "I don't know how many opportunities I'm going to get to come back to Australia.

"Obviously, last week was great to win at the MCG, and I ‍guess that presented another opportunity here this week to try and help us get in a position of strength within this game early on.

"I want to try and replicate that feeling last week for the group. For a lot of this squad it is the first time they've been out here, so if they've got good memories and we can find a way to win this fixture, next time we come out, the last two memories we'd have out here would be two Ashes wins.

"The baggage that might have been there for a previous generation might not be there for them. There's so much to play for throughout the next three days."

When specifically asked if he would like to be part of that next Ashes tour in 2029/30, Root replied: "Who knows? We'll see. I'd love to. We'll see how things unfold in time."

Root's 160 helped England to a first-innings total of 384 at the SCG, before Australia responded by rapidly reaching 166-2 by the close of play.

His latest century took Root level with Ricky Ponting on 41 for his Test career, trailing only Jacques Kallis (45) and Sachin Tendulkar (50), who is also the only cricketer with more Test runs (15,921) than Root's 13,937.