"Strap In And...": Joe Root's Warning To England Fans Ahead Of Lord's Test vs Australia

23.06.2023 - 12:35 sports.ndtv.com

After England suffered a narrow loss to Australia in the first Ashes Test, Joe Root has backed the team and its strategy to come out better in the next game.

It is worth noting that the Ben Stokes-led side was heavily criticised for its style of play known as 'Bazball' during the Ashes 2023 opener.

From declaring their innings on Day 1 of the Test to the attacking intent of their batters, the team faced backlash for all of it.

Root has warned the England fans to "strap in" and expect the same style of play from the team, though with some added energy when they face Australia in the second Test at Lord's, starting June 28. "If we are going to grow as a team, we can't just look at a day like this with a couple of moments going against us and say 'we need to do things differently'.

Ben Stokes England Cricket Team Test Joe Root Australia

Steve Smith and sensational fielding go hand in hand. Be it a diving catch at slip or an outstanding effort at the boundary line, Steve Smith's brilliance is omnipresent when Australia are on the field. On Day 2 of the second Ashes Test between Australia and England, Smith once again proved why he is among the highly-rated fielders in the world. The moment came on the third ball of the 46th over during England's batting on Thursday.

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Australia preyed on England's determination to stick to aggressive 'Bazball' cricket as several batsmen fell into a hooking trap during the second Test at Lord's on Thursday. England, enjoying the best batting conditions of the match, were well placed at 188-1 in reply to Australia's first innings 416, with the visitors' spin bowler, Nathan Lyon, off the field with a calf injury. But England slumped to 222-4 as Australia bowled bouncers with as many as four men deep on the legside -- a tactic that could scarcely have been more obvious had it been signalled in neon lights.

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England star player Joe Root registered a huge record during the end of Day 1 of the ongoing second Ashes Test at the iconic Lord's Stadium in London. He became only the third player in history to score more than 2,000 runs and also bag 20 wickets in the Ashes. Australia's Warwick Armstrong (2,172 runs and 74 wickets) and England's Wally Hammond (2,852 runs and 36 wickets) are the two others who achieved this milestone. After removing Travis Head and Cameron Green in the same over, Root attained this milestone.

England vs Australia, 2nd Ashes Test: Steve Smith Stars For Australia Before Joe Root Double Revives England On Day 1

Star batsman Steve Smith's unbeaten 85 was the centrepiece of Australia's impressive 339-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord's on Wednesday. But off-spinner Joe Root, better known as the number one-ranked batsman in Test cricket, took two wickets in four balls late in the day. His double strike ensured Ashes-holders Australia, 1-0 up in the five-match series after a thrilling two-wicket win at Edgbaston last week, did not have things all their own way at the 'Home of Cricket'.

Smith stars for Australia before Root double revives England in 2nd Test

Star batsman Steve Smith's unbeaten 85 was the centrepiece of Australia's impressive 339-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord's on Wednesday.

Australia batsmen take control of Lord's Test after England seamers disappoint

Australia took complete control on the opening day of the second Ashes Test at Lord's as Steve Smith scored an unbeaten 85 to guide the visitors to 339-5 in helpful conditions for bowlers on Wednesday.