After two centuries in the ODI series and bagging the ‘Man of the Series’ award, Joe Root did not fare well with the bat in the County Cricket Division. Playing for Yorkshire, he recorded scores of 22 and 3 in first and second innings respectively. A video of him getting beaten by James Anderson’s outswinger too went viral on Twitter. However, Root made an impact with the ball in the second innings.
Root took four wickets in the second innings against Lancashire. Chasing a target of 322 in the fourth innings, Lancashire depended on wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler after ordinary performances from the top order. Buttler tried to stitch a partnership with Tom Bailey for the sixth wicket.
But Root was introduced for the first time in the game and took Buttler’s wicket towards the end of Day 3. Buttler scored 59 from 69 deliveries and was looking dangerous before mistiming the sweep shot and giving a simple catch to Kane Williamson.
On Day 4, Root went all guns blazing, mopping up the tail on his own. He took 3 more wickets. The English Test skipper ended the match with staggering bowling figures of 4 wickets for 5 runs in 7.4 overs, including 5 maidens.
Overs: 7.4
Maidens: 5
Runs: 5
Wickets: 4Joe Root’s second innings stats, including bowling Jimmy Anderson to wrap up victory for Yorkshire.
Magnificent. pic.twitter.com/hblJaI5yWp
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) July 24, 2018
The 27-year-old also had the last laugh against Anderson. He took the veteran bowler’s wicket for a duck registering his career-best bowling figures. Anderson played 23 balls before getting bowled to the part-time off-spinner.
Got to give it to @liaml4893 surgery yesterday and this morning trying to save his side by batting one handed! @lancscricket #hero pic.twitter.com/z3hnG8KMwp
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) July 24, 2018
The earlier dismissal of Anderson by Root —
WICKET WATCH @jimmy9 produces a great delivery to Joe Root, caught behind by @DaneVilas for 3. Yorks 18/2 #LAnYOR pic.twitter.com/GstBW6J3We
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) July 23, 2018
Root’s redemption –
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With a long five-match Test series coming up against India, we might see Root trying his hand at off-spin every now and then. He has 19 wickets from 69 Tests. A performance like this is bound to boost his confidence in bowling and chip in with a few overs when the bowlers have taken a hit or to break a partnership.
