Former England captain Joe Root has been in sensational form with the bat, scoring a century and 46 in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston last week. England needed the help of bowler Joe Root to retain their lead in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Wednesday.
Australia scored 316/3 in the 75th over after losing the toss on a green pitch on the opening day of the second Test on Wednesday. But Root struck twice with his off-spin bowling, dismissing Travis Head for 77 off 73 balls and then all-rounder Cameron Green for a duck in the same over, leaving the Pat Cummins-led side at 316 for 5. Ended up on the run. Australia finished the first day’s play. 339 runs for 5 wickets in 83 overs.
Here’s Joe Root taking two wickets in an over on Day 1 of the 2nd Ashes Test…
Joe Root strikes twice in one over and Australia are 5__ runs behind! #englandcricket , #Ashes pic.twitter.com/wmn9hC5K6c– England Cricket (@englandcricket) 28 June 2023
Root turned one ball away from Head’s bat and Jonny Bairstow completed the stumping and sent the in-form Australian batsman back to the pavilion. Three balls later, Green missed a shot off Root to James Anderson at mid-off and was out for a duck.
Earlier, Australia won the toss and sent on a grass strip at Lord’s. A light drizzle made the air even more humid just before the start of play in the second Ashes Test. The floodlights were lit all day on Wednesday, for this there was enough light in the sky. The two bowlers who took the most wickets at Lord’s could have shot first.
It was as good for England as it could be. a dream James Anderson and Stuart Broad produced swing and nicks off the bats of Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja but were dropped.
The wickets England and Australia had hoped for were not met and the Australians made a remarkable 339–5 at stumps after enduring a tough morning and Just Stop Oil protesters.
Steve Smith was jeered when he came in and politely applauded when he left at stumps, leading Australia with an unbeaten 85. Alex Carey was playing after scoring 11 runs. Smith shared a century partnership with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head after Warner and Khawaja disappointed England. Morning.
“An amazing day for us,” said Labushen. “Three wickets could have fallen (by lunch). You are going to take that (339-5) when you are sent on a wicket that we thought had a lot in it.
passion tongueOn his Ashes debut, he became the first England bowler since 1968 to dismiss Australia’s opening batsmen, and the first since 1884 at Lord’s. But the bowling deteriorated on a slow pitch. Anderson conceded only 29 runs in 15 overs without luck but England conceded 36 extra runs including 12 no balls.
Another concern was No. 3 batsman Ollie Pope, who injured his right shoulder during the post-lunch halt and did not return to the field. England said he was being treated with ice.
(with PTI inputs)