VIDEO: Joe Root Got Out In The Most Unlucky Way In Manchester: The Ashes Test at Old Trafford was the scene of an unexpected event on July 20. Former England skipper Joe Root fell to a seemingly innocuous delivery from Australia’s Josh Hazlewood. The ball, pitching back of a length, almost rolled along the surface, ending Root’s promising innings.
Australia opened the second day at 299-8, adding a minor 18 runs to their first innings tally. The score settled at 317 before England’s Ben Duckett fell prey to Mitchell Starc’s pace in the third over.
Despite this early setback, England dominated the day’s proceedings. A century stand between Zak Crawley and Moeen Ali for the second wicket set the stage. What followed was a record-breaking partnership between Crawley and Root, a double-century stand that came quicker than a run-a-ball.
Crawley played a brilliant knock, scoring 189 off a mere 182 balls. His downfall, however, came from a Cameron Green short ball that bounced less than he expected. Root’s dismissal, however, was the result of a delivery even more unplayable.
VIDEO: Joe Root Got Out In The Most Unlucky Way In Manchester
The only way to get him out 😉
Nothing you can do about those, Joe… #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/2RYAhrfHcM
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 20, 2023
According to CricViz’s Expected Wickets model, the ball that dismissed Joe Root had a 46% chance of claiming a wicket. This probability was the highest in the 2023 Ashes series, making it the most lethal ball of the series. Root’s departure left him stranded on 84, eight runs short of his second hundred in the series.
Joe Root’s innings, peppered with eight fours and a six, was an eye-catching performance. His dismissal, although a relief for Australia, also gave them cause for concern. The way Root got out hinted at the Old Trafford pitch hiding some potential challenges.
Australia is currently lagging in the game, and the mysterious pitch adds another layer of complexity. The ball that dismissed Joe Root revealed the unpredictable nature of the playing surface. Thus, it might pose threats for the Australian batting line-up in the coming days.
Day 2 of the fourth Ashes Test served up a feast of runs and drama. Root’s unusual dismissal off Hazlewood’s ball stands out as the most memorable moment. While England continues to dominate the Test, Australia will be wary of the tricky pitch conditions as the game progresses.
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