The two-match Test series between England and New Zealand kicked off on Thursday. After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Black Caps managed an early breakthrough, dismissing opener Zack Crawley at the score of 4 in the 3rd over. However, the English recovered with an excellent second-wicket partnership between Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. Further helped by contributions from Harry Brook batting at 79* and Ben Foakes batting at 27*, England were 279/5 at Dinner on Day 1.
However, a key incident that caught the attention of Cricket fans all around was that Joe Root could not get going again, continuing his string of low scores in the red-ball game. Interestingly, Root’s dismissal was quite unique and caught the eyes of the fans. Root is known to be an inventive batter; playing audacious shots is a part of his game. However, this time, an innovative shot happened to be the reason for his downfall.
Joe Root was dismissed cheaply for 14 runs off 22 deliveries
Batting at 9 off 15, Joe Root activated his creative side when he reverse scooped Neil Wagner’s length ball for four over the slips in the third ball after tea. He looked to repeat the trick shortly after his batting partner Ollie Pope was dismissed, edging a good length ball by Tim Southee.
Here’s a video of Root’s audacious shot:
Audacious from Joe Root ?#NZvENGpic.twitter.com/uzB74B39Rr
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 16, 2023
On the sixth ball after Root’s audacious shot, he tried repeating the exact same shot to another Wagner delivery. However, this time the ball swung in the air, taking it away from the right-hander, who could only get a faint edge on the ball to send it comfortably into the hands of Daryl Mitchell, fielding in the slips.
Here’s a video of Root’s dismissal:
The reverse scoop doesn't work this time for Joe Root…#NZvENGpic.twitter.com/AFfCshKKNH
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 16, 2023
Tim Southee has been the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, with two scalps until Dinner. The test played at Bay Oval looked like a game hung in the balance until the end of the second session on Day 1.
