Joe Root dominated on the fourth day of the first Test of Ashes 2023, Kevin Pietersen praised

On the fourth day of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Joe Root attempted a reverse scoop off Australia captain Pat Cummins but failed to do so. But fouled the shot a short while later, smashing a six and a four off seamer Scott Boland for an entertaining 55-ball 46.

Joe Root’s bang

What is going on!? , #englandcricket , #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ieMdbBnRAH– England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 19, 2023

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen was surprised by Root’s innings, which saw England extend their lead to 162 runs at lunch on the fourth day. “Root had the game, he ran the game, he was pure quality. He got Australia to do everything they wanted, like spreading the field. It was a masterclass.”

“The sky’s the limit for the mind that Root has and his way of working, which is like no one else. With 11,000 Test runs, he can be like, ‘I’ve had enough, I laugh around. I can, I can get a hundred.” Next morning see everyone warm up and play football with the boys’,” he told Sky Sports Cricket.

Pietersen also felt that Root’s reverse scoop has a relation with his stint with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

“Root wants to improve every morning. We are lucky to see a master and can continue for a long time. It would have been those two months in the IPL (with Rajasthan Royals) where those shots (reverse scoops) would have happened. would have joined their game.”

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting highlighted how England used more aggressive shots in the first session of day four.

“We’ve talked a lot about baseball. The average offensive shot percentage since Brendon McCullum took over has been 47 percent. It went up to 58 percent in the first hour. He played more shots this morning than in the last 12 months ”

Root’s brilliant effort after scoring 118 not out in the first innings was also praised by former Australia head coach Justin Langer.

“The burning question leading into this series was whether England could apply buzzball theory against Australia’s world-class attack. Joe Root, a truly great player, led the way this morning under immense pressure. Whatever happens now England will move on, I am very happy to see my former captain sticking to the script.”

Langer said in his analysis on The Telegraph, “Incredible batting and leadership. Bow down Joe Root. This Test match is alive and well. I awoke this morning to another interesting, entertaining, pressure-filled Test cricket.” ” ,

Former England captain Michael Vaughan agreed with Langer’s views and said, “He’s out now, but the shot he attempted on the first ball of the day sent the most incredible message that baseballers had arrived for a fourth day.” . As if this test could not be done. Wouldn’t be interesting any more, that was the most remarkable non-scoring shot you can imagine.”