England batsman Joe Root is back to being a world-class Test batsman at his best. He relinquished Test captaincy before the start of the series against New Zealand at home and has since scored consecutive centuries.
In the ongoing Second Test at Trent Bridge, Root scored 176 off 211, including 26 fours and a six, helping England to a 539-all-out in response to New Zealand’s first innings total of 553 .
Read also: New Zealand’s collapse gives hope to England in second Test
While Root played many memorable shots during his stay, none was more audacious, outrageous and unbelievable than the one that only cost him six of his innings. It was a reverse scoop from Tim Southee during the 117th over, with the ball flying over the slip cordon for maximum.
Check out his stunning shot below:
this is absurd pic.twitter.com/aJV9vopQDs
— Greg James (@gregjames) 13 June 2022
Michael Atherton, who was commenting when Root played the shot, called it “unbelievable”. “Unbelievable, unbelievable from Joe Root. He’s scooped Tim Southee and I’m pretty sure has gone all the way to six. This morning he said, ‘I want to take the batting to new areas, don’t worry that this is a Test match you are going to see something different from me from time to time.’
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Simon Dole, who was also in the commentary box, said, “It’s outrageous … and great to watch. Tim Southee just turned around and thought ‘I don’t know what just happened.
Some fans started comparing Root’s shot with that of Rishabh Pant against James Anderson in Ahmedabad last year. Anderson, one of the greatest bowlers to have played the game, was bowling with the new ball when the India wicketkeeper-batsman reverse-sweeped the veteran for a boundary at the slip cordon.
I thought Rishabh Pant doing a reverse sweep to Anderson on off stump was humiliating but Jesus Christ Joe Root you are a different gravy #ENGvsNZ
— Brian Holland (@Piggsy_Malone) 13 June 2022
Joe Root reverse sweeping Tim Southee in a test match
Rishabh Pant’s influence on the game is growing everyday.#ENGvsNZ— Prashant (@PrashantMUFC) 13 June 2022
Meanwhile, the second Test came alive for New Zealand thanks to a 224/7 collapse in their second innings and extended their lead to just 238 runs at the end of the fourth day’s play.
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