Joe Root | file photo
In a country full of fraudsters and superstars of T20 cricket, Joe Root is one of the few that has set the test flag very high. When you think of Joe Root, you think of class, pancakes, and the ability to drop balls.
But, Joe Root played a shot that stunned the stadium, home and even the bowler himself. Yes, you read that right. In the ongoing Test between England and New Zealand, Root fell to a knee, and reverse swept a fast bowler, Neil Wagner, onto third man for a six.
As far as the match is concerned, England need 113 runs on the last day of the Test to win the match. Chasing 296, England lost both their openers early on, and it looked like New Zealand were in the game.
But, then Joe Root and Pope came together, shared an unbeaten 132, and played with a mix of caution and aggression to bring England down to 183/2 at the end of Day 4.
Surprisingly, New Zealand were not disciplined with the ball in hand and kept conceding too many runs. He remembered Ejaz Patel as the pitch definitely had something for the spinners.
Although England only need 113 runs, things can change very quickly in a Test match, so don’t count NZ right now. But yes, England still have players like Bairstow and Stokes and will start as the favourites.
New Zealand Playing 11
Tom Latham, Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (C), Henry NicholsDaryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent BoultNeil Wagner
England playing 11
Alex Lees, Zak Crowley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny BairstowBen Stokes (c), Sam Billings (wk), Jamie Overton, Matty Potts, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach