It looks like resigning from captaincy duties has taken a lot of pressure off Joe Root’s shoulders and it has unlocked the best out of the former English skipper. While Root has always been the most prolific Test batter in world cricket in the last couple of years, we are currently witnessing a batter at the peak of his prowess.
There is a Tsunami of runs flowing from Joe Root’s bat as the Yorkshire batter notched up another Test century against the Kiwis on Sunday. It is Root’s back-to-back century as he also scored a match-winning ton in the Lord’s Test.
Joe Root smashes Matt Henry for an eye-pleasing boundary
During his unbeaten knock of 163 runs, the classy right-handed batter smashed a textbook boundary that left everyone to a standstill while admiring the shot. On the 4th delivery of the 44th over, the Kiwi pacer Matt Henry dished out a full delivery outside the off stump. Joe Root brought his front foot towards the delivery and played a perfect off-drive to send the delivery towards the boundary.
Watch the video here:
Describe this shot in one word…
We'll start, textbook 😍
Scorecard/clips: https://t.co/GJPwJC59J7
🏴 #ENGvNZ 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/8jlc4ZVSWR
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 12, 2022
Root played a whirlwind knock as he is currently unbeaten at a score of 163 at the close of day three. He is currently batting at a strike rate of 81.50 as the Englishman has only faced 200 deliveries during his knock so far, which also includes 25 boundaries.
Talking about the match, New Zealand posted a humongous total of 553 batting first courtesy of twin hundreds from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell. Jimmy Anderson clinched three wickets with the ball for the home side.
In reply, England lost Zak Crawley early in the innings but centuries from Ollie Pope and Joe Root gained the advantage for the home side. At the close of day three’s play, England are trailing the Kiwis by 80 runs with 5 wickets in hand.