Joe Root’s “ridiculous” reverse-scoop sets Twitter on fire: Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have given England a new lease on life in Test cricket, and every day, their thrilling style of cricket is awe-inspiring audiences more and more. Even Joe Root, who is seen as a more conventional Test hitter, is getting in on the action, as players like Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes have pleased spectators with their aggressive hitting.
With England chasing 296 to secure a series sweep over New Zealand on Day 4 of the third Test, which is now taking place at Headingley in Leeds, Root stunned Twitter with an incredible reverse-scoop off bowler Neil Wagner.
English star hitter Root quickly changed positions and scooped the ball over the third man boundary after left-handed Wagner threw one full and over him while racing in from over the wicket.
The England Cricket Board shared the video on Twitter and only stated: “Joseph Root You are utterly absurd.”
Joe Root. You are ridiculous.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2022
Scorecard/clips: https://t.co/AIVHwaRwQv
🏴 #ENGvNZ 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/0YIhsZ5T04
Fans praised England’s “ridiculous” strategy in the game’s longest format after the shot drove Twitter into a frenzy.
BazBall = ridiculous test cricket 😍😍
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) June 26, 2022
pic.twitter.com/dBoEjdbZtQ
Here Are Some More Reactions:
England 96/2 chasing 296 to win and Joe Root is reverse sweeping seamers for 6 🤣 Incredible positivity and confidence that McCullum has instilled in this team
— Ryan Burl (@ryanburl3) June 26, 2022
The Brendon McCullum effect is well and truly on England batsman – Joe Root reverse scooped Wagner for a six. pic.twitter.com/j0tqM45LkM
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 26, 2022
ROFL! Joe Root reverse scooping a fast bowler for a six in the 4th innings of a test match chasing 300 with the match very much in balance!! 😂
— Agent Vikram (@SriniMaama16) June 26, 2022
Idhuku laam orey orthan dhaan Karanam! 😂😂😂 https://t.co/fUxDnc0zB4
Ollie Pope was batting at 81 as the day concluded, while Joe Root, who has already made two centuries this season, finished the day undefeated on 55. At the end of Day 4, England was 183/2, and they still needed 113 runs to defeat the Kiwis 3-0.
The third century of this series for Daryl Mitchell in as many games helped New Zealand amass 329 runs in their opening inning.
The first innings saw England score 360 runs and take a 31-run lead thanks to Jonny Bairstow’s brilliant 162 off 157 balls and Jamie Overton’s 97 not out.
Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, and Daryl Mitchell each scored half-centuries after that, and New Zealand gave England a 296-run target.
