Ashes 2023 | Advantage Australia As England Self-Explode With Bazball Mindset

Root after getting dismissed by Lyon [AP Photos]

The fans have witnessed an enthralling Ashes Test match between England and Australia as we move towards the business end of the first Test at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Two heavyweights have provided the fans with a see-saw battle that keeps swinging like a pendulum with each passing minute. England started Day 4 in a precarious situation, at 28 for 2. The Australian bowlers had their tails up and were looking for some early inroads, but they were denied by some breath-taking counter-attacking stuff from England's Joe Root.

Australia managed to get Root's wicket, and then got the crucial wicket of Harry Brook to have their noses in front at the end of the first session, with England at 155 for 5.

Talking Points

Root starts with a bang

With England on the back-foot at 28 for 2, Root did the unthinkable on the very first ball of the day. He attempted an audacious reverse scoop off the bowling of Pat Cummins. Although, he missed the connection, but that didn't stop him from attempting the same shot once again.

This time, the victim was Scott Boland. Not once, but twice did Root smacked Boland for a reverse scoop to rattle the Aussie bowler. With his aggressive antics, Root had snatched the momentum, that the visitors had.

Cummins with a beauty to knock over Pope!

With Ollie Pope forming a formidable partnership with Joe Root, Australia needed someone to step up and break the partnership, and Cummins did just that.

He bowled the delivery of the match that rattled Pope with a deadly in-swinging yorker. It was full and swung back in sharply as Pope failed to bring the bat down on time and the ball went onto crash the stumps. The duo of Root and Pope added 50 quick-fire runs for the third wicket, and that could have been more had it not been for Pat Cummins' incredible delivery.

Root dismissed by Lyon!

With Root looking strong and another 50 for him on the cards, it was the tossed up delivery by Lyon that did the trick for him. Root with his aggressive instinct tried to clear the field by dancing down the track, but he missed the shot as Carey had an easy stumping to do. Not only Root, but Lyon did manage to get the wicket of Harry Brook, who was threatening to steal the game away from the visitors.

What to expect from the second session?

Australia will be looking to get some early inroads in the next session. If they can get Bairstow and Stokes early, that'll push the panic button in the England camp.

On the other hand, England will be looking to start cautiously. The duo of Bairstow and Stokes hold the key and they'll be looking to steady the sinking England ship. 

Brief Score

England - 155-5 (37)

Harry Brook - 46 (52), Joe Root - 46 (55)

Pat Cummins - 2/33 (12) , Scott Boland - 1/36 (7)

---

ALSO READ

[Watch] Joe Root Once Again Rattles Boland with an Innovative Scoop

---