Ashes 2023: [WATCH] Joe Root Classy Reverse Sweep Shot Against Scott Boland

On Day 1 of the first Ashes Test, which took place on Friday at Edgbaston, England’s most seasoned batter Joe Root declared his intentions in the first over following tea. Off Scott Boland, he played an outrageous reverse sweep that easily crossed fine leg for a maximum.

The innings, which had begun with a boundary from Jonny Bairstow, was in its 53rd over when that incident occurred. On the second-to-last ball of the over, Root easily executed a reverse sweep while stepping outside of the crease to finish it off with a six. Last summer, the Yorkshire batter also utilized the shot numerous times.

Here’s the clip:

In spite of the hosts at Edgbaston getting off to a quick start, Root reached fifty before the Tea break as Australia kept making progress. In the first session, deaths occurred for Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Zak Crawley. On the final ball before lunch off Boland, Crawley left the field for 61.

Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon, who had just snuck out the risky Harry Brook, was successful in dismantling another dangerous alliance. Bairstow, who was moving along nicely, came out to Lyon but completely missed the ball as Alex Carey finished an easy stumping. After Ben Stokes’ rash departure, England was down to 176-5.

To lead the home team’s comeback, Bairstow teamed up with former captain Root. The decision to bat first was made earlier after England captain Stokes won the toss.

The hosts kept their cards close even though England had long ago revealed their starting lineup. Josh Hazlewood replaced Mitchell Starc, who had been sidelined for the pivotal match against India at the Kennington Oval because of injury issues, in the newly crowned World Test champions’ lineup. However, by removing Duckett and Stokes, the right-arm seamer defended his choice.

Despite losing early wickets, the hosts appear to have a good chance of winning the toss because the pitch is probably going to slow down later in the match. Australia will be inspired by their victory over England at the same venue four years ago.

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