Joe Root top knocks in the Ashes
Joe Root, the esteemed batsman of England’s Test team, continues to shine as a vital component, as exemplified by his exceptional performance on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test in Edgbaston. Root’s impressive innings of 118* propelled his team to a commanding total of 393/8, prompting the decision to declare the innings.
While England’s aggressive BazBall approach often leads to dismissals resulting from impulsive shots, Root stands out as a testament to his remarkable consistency and ability to deliver when his team needs him most. Let us now delve into five remarkable Ashes knocks by Joe Root, which firmly establish his status as a world-class batsman:
5 87, Adelaide, Ashes 2013/14
During the 2013/14 Ashes series, England endured a grueling 5-0 whitewash at the hands of the formidable Australian pace bowler, Mitchell Johnson. However, amidst the crumbling batting lineup, a young Joe Root showcased his prowess in the Adelaide Test. Despite witnessing his teammates’ rapid dismissals, Root displayed resilience with a gutsy knock of 87, albeit falling short in preventing a resounding 218-run defeat for England.
4 89, Brisbane, Ashes 2021/22
Prior to the advent of the revolutionary ‘BazBall’ style, England suffered a crushing 0-4 defeat Down Under during the 2021/22 Ashes series. The opening Test commenced on a rather disheartening note for the visitors, with Rory Burns succumbing to the very first ball. However, Joe Root emerged as the lone warrior, crafting yet another valiant innings in a losing cause. His resolute knock of 89 ensured that England avoided an innings defeat, although they ultimately succumbed to a 9-wicket loss.
3 130, Trent Bridge, Ashes 2015
The Trent Bridge Test of the 2015 Ashes series is etched in memory for veteran pacer Stuart Broad’s spectacular dismantling of the Australian batting lineup, securing an astonishing 8-wicket haul while bundling out the visitors for a paltry 60 runs. Capitalizing on England’s dominant position in the game, Joe Root contributed significantly with a splendid innings of 130. His stellar performance, alongside his teammates, led to England declaring at 391/9. The Australian team, unable to recover from their first-innings nightmare, suffered an overwhelming innings defeat by a margin of 78 runs.
2 134, Cardiff, Ashes 2015
Joe Root set the tone for the 2015 Ashes series in Cardiff with a sensational century in the opening Test. His remarkable score of 134 propelled the hosts to an imposing total of 430 runs in the first innings. Australia struggled in their response, conceding a substantial lead of 122 runs. Throughout the match, the visitors found themselves playing catch-up, unable to close the gap created by Root’s outstanding century. In the second innings, Root continued his fine form with a composed knock of 60, ensuring a daunting target for the Australian team.
1 180, Lord’s, Ashes 2013
In a fitting tribute, Joe Root delivered his finest Ashes performance to date at the renowned Lord’s Cricket Ground, often referred to as the ‘Home of Cricket.’ In the early stages of his Test career, Root established himself as an opening batsman, demonstrating why he was heralded as the next prodigious talent in English cricket. With Australia already trailing by a colossal 233 runs, Root and his compatriots embarked on their second innings, aiming to crush Australia’s hopes. Their objective was accomplished as the hosts
set a mammoth target of 583. Once again, the visitors were left reeling as they succumbed to a comprehensive defeat by a staggering margin of 347 runs.
