With nearly 14,000 runs in the format to his name, the English batter was seen alongside Ponting at the Sydney Cricket Online ID Ground.
Joe Root has gone level with Ricky Ponting in equal-third in the all-time men’s Test century list, bringing up his 41st hundred on day two in Sydney.
Resuming on 72 after play was called early on day one, Root contined his push with little fuss in spite of a better bowling effort from the hosts who were also aided by a more inconsistent surface.
Root watched Harry Brook (84), Ben Stokes (0) and Jamie Smith (46) fall at the other end, though carried on to walk off at lunch on 138 not out.
In the middle session of the day Root reached the 150 mark, with his innings only ended on 160 by an athletic caught and bowled by Michael Neser.
It’s the second century for Root on the tour who had curiously not reached the magical mark in 14 Test matches held in Australia before the current series.
England were bowled out for 384, with the Australian opening pair of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald putting together a half-century stand in reply.
The tourists are currently 3-1 down in the five-Test Ashes, though a win in Sydney would hand the English 12 vital World Test Championship 2027 points as they strive to move from seventh in the nine-team competition.