CRICKET – JOE Root rescued England with his 31st Test century on the opening day of the fourth Test against India yesterday, steering the tourists to a respectable 302-7 after Akash Deep took early wickets.
The right-hander responded to the backlash against England’s ‘Bazball’ approach after their drubbing by 434 runs in the third Test, with an unbeaten 106 not out which brought England back into the game from a precarious 112-5 at lunch.
Root’s own dismissal in Rajkot – playing a reverse scoop against Jasprit Bumrah – was seen as symptomatic of what is wrong with England’s ultra-aggressive batting.
Ollie Robinson was also unbeaten after a useful cameo of 31, relieving the pressure on Ben Stokes, who was earlier left to rue his decision to bat as England lost the top half of their batting order in the frenetic first session.
The hosts’ 2-1 cushion in the five-match series allowed them to rest pace spearhead Bumrah, and Akash became the fourth Indian to make his debut in the series.
The right-arm seamer impressed immediately, sending opener Zak Crawley’s off-stump cartwheeling in his second over but his celebrations were cut short when the no-ball siren went off. The 27-year-old seamer soon got over that disappointment by striking twice in three balls.
Akash dismissed Ben Duckett caught behind for 11 with an angled delivery that prompted a tentative prod from the opener.
Two balls later, Ollie Pope fell lbw for a duck.
Crawley went after Mohammed Siraj, hitting the bowler for three fours in a row and following that up with a huge six.
Enter Akash, who ended Crawley’s run-a-ball 42 by hitting the top of his off-stump.
Root to the rescue
Root celebrates after reaching his century
&uuid=(email))