Last Update: February 16, 2023, 18:54 IST
Neil Wagner removes Joe Root for 14 (AP Image)
Joe Root tried the same shot, but took a simple catch at second slip.
England’s Joe Root looked quite pale with the bat on Day 1 of their opening Test against New Zealand at the Bay Oval. Root got off to a decent start and even managed to hit a boundary off a reverse scoop off Neil Wagner. After a few overs. Root tried to hit the same shot but got out after taking a simple catch at second slip. During his short-lived innings, Root managed to contribute 14 runs to England’s first innings total. A clip of Root’s unfortunate wicket was shared by BT on Twitter Play Cricket.
The reverse scoop is definitely one of the former England captain’s favorite shots. Root has been seen performing brilliantly in white-ball cricket many times. During the summer of 2022, Root was trying to master this skill and was seen playing it in the inaugural season of International League T20. However, it was a very rare sight to see him play such a risky shot in Tests. England are trying more attacking tactics in Tests as part of coaches Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes’ “baseball” cricket. In that sense, Root’s reverse scoop certainly goes with the new strategy.
In the 24th over of England’s first innings, Root caught an outside delivery from Wagner and cleared the boundary for a four. The successful effort boosted his confidence and he followed it up in the 28th over. This time, Wagner, who by now was well aware of Root’s aim, reduced the pace of the ball. Root mistimes the delivery completely and fails to connect it. The ball edged past his bat and ended up hitting Daryl Mitchell at second slip.
England declared their first innings after scoring 325 runs on the first day. Openers Ben Duckett and Harry Brook played innings of 84 and 89. In other notable scores, Ollie Pope played a crucial knock of 42, while wicketkeeper Ben Foakes scored 38.
Chasing a huge lead, the New Zealand top-order soon collapsed. At the end of the first day’s play, the Black Caps were reeling at 31 runs, having lost three of their most important batsmen including Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls.
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