Watch: Rattled Pat Cummins Changes Field As Joe Root Ramps Scott Boland For Six, Four On Consecutive Deliveries

19.06.2023 - 14:13 sports.ndtv.com

Joe Root led England's charge on Day 4 of the ongoing first Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston. After losing two wickets ahead of stumps on Day 3, England resumed play on the penultimate day at 28/2, with Root and vice-captain Ollie Pope yet to open their accounts.

However, Root didn't take much time to get going as he struck two boundaries on the trot in the second over of the day. Root ramped Scoot Boland for a six, followed by a four, off consecutive deliveries.

A ramp-bunctious start from Joe RootWhat is going on!? #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ieMdbBnRAH Root made is intentions clear to Australia and skipper Pat Cummins had to adjust his field to stop the former England skipper from doing further damage.

Unfortunately, Root narrowly missed out on his half-century. He was dismissed on 46 by Nathan Lyon. Earlier, Cummins starred with both bat and ball as the Ashes-holders had the better of a rain-marred third day.

Australia Cricket Team England Cricket Team Cummins on as watch Joe Root Pat Cummins Scott Boland Nathan Lyon Zak Crawley Australia

The animosity between England and Australian players is going to intensify even further after wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by Alex Carey on Day 5 of the second Ashes Test at Lord's. While Australia did everything within the rules of the game, the dismissal did trigger the spirit of cricket debate among fans and former cricketers. After the conclusion of the game on Sunday, a video emerged on social media where Bairstow could be seen having a rather 'cold' handshake with Australia skipper Pat Cummins.

"Will We See Under-arm bowling?" Pat Cummins Asked After Controversial Jonny Bairstow Dismissal. Reply Is Gold - Watch

The controversial dismissal of England batter Jonny Bairstow in the second Ashes Test on Sunday, once again raised the debate of Spirit of Cricket vs Laws of the Game. Bairstow was given out when Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey threw the ball at the stumps after the England batsman walked out of his crease after ducking under a Cameron Green bouncer. There was confusion in the middle, Bairstow seemingly believing the ball was dead at the end of the over, but Australia were happy to proceed with a deeply divisive appeal.

"Didn't Hear...": Pat Cummins Responds To Ollie Robinson's '3 No.11s' Sledge

Australia captain Pat Cummins led from the front as the visitors defeated England by 2 two wickets in a thrilling first Ashes Test to go 1-0 in the five-match series. With Australia chasing a target of 281, Cummins put a strong rearguard, alongside Nathan Lyon, to take his team across the finishing line. Cummins hit an unbeaten 44 while Lyon put on a defensive masterclass with his 28-ball 16 not out on Day 5. On Day 3, England pacer Ollie Robinson had blasted Australia for being "too defensive", and took a dig by saying that the visitors have "three No.11s" in Scott Boland, Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.

Pat Cummins answers critics with one of greatest Ashes captain displays

I n the moment after striking the winning boundary at Edgbaston, Pat Cummins looked to have taken his celebration cues from Usman Khawaja. Charging down the pitch for a second run that became obsolete as the ball ricocheted into the rope, he embarked on the turning circle of a semi-trailer back towards Nathan Lyon at the far end and started throwing his gear away as he went. Bat? Didn’t need that any more. Bear hug? That was far more pressing.

Joe Root moves to top of Test batting rankings after first Ashes Test, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne drops to third

Joe Root has moved to the top of the Test batting rankings after his fine display for England in the first Ashes Test at Egbaston. Root looked in sparkling form as he made an unbeaten 118 in the first innings and then 46 in the second innings. Ad Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, who had been top of the rankings for the last six months, dropped down to third position after scores of zero and 13 in the match.

Joe Root Topples Marnus Labuschagne As World No 1 Batter; Ravichandran Ashwin Maintains Top Spot

Premier India offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin has maintained the top spot among bowlers, while England's Joe Root toppled Australia's Marnus Labuschagne to become the world's top-ranked batter in the ICC Test rankings released on Wednesday. Ashwin, who was ignored for the World Test Championship final against Australia earlier this month in London, remained the world No 1 bowler with 860 points, followed by England's James Anderson at second with 829 points. Among Indian bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah (772) and Ravindra Jadeja (765) occupied the eighth and the ninth spot respectively with no change in their rankings.