Joe Root is a good player. Obviously that’s putting it mildly.

Joe Root is an excellent player. One of the four modern greats – alongside Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson – who currently captain their national teams.

But as the most recent to take over the reins of leadership, Root now faces his biggest challenge yet as he takes England into the second Ashes Test 1-0 down.

He has proven himself as one of the world’s toughest and most skilful players, against the best bowlers on the planet. But his rivals – just look at world No.1 ranked Test batsman Smith – have marked themselves out by constantly getting better and better, and by winning matches for their countries on a regular basis.

All these question marks will be erased if Root can make a big hundred in Adelaide. Given his immense skills, determination and calm head, you wouldn’t be surprised. And he has form there: on England’s miserable 2013/14 tour, a series in which Root was dropped by the end of it, he still made a classical 87 in the second innings at Adelaide. Of all the pitches in Australia, this one should suit him best. But the pressure is huge – perhaps bigger than ever; the England team and their fans desperately need him to, and he’s probably never wanted it more.

Root’s ascent to greatness has been predicted for some time now but no English batsman has ever achieved that accolade without scoring heavy runs in Australia. Last time around, it proved too much for him. If Joe Root’s raising both arms – helmet off, overhand smash – celebrating a ton as part of an England win next week, it’ll surely be the best moment of his remarkable career to date.