In the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston, the first ball saw English opener Zak Crawley strike a powerful cover drive to the boundary, displaying a clear intent and embodying the aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy.
On the fourth day’s first ball, Joe Root outshone his teammate with an astonishing shot selection. Facing Pat Cummins, Root, who had started the day without any runs, boldly attempted a reverse ramp shot – a remarkably bold and inventive stroke he had successfully executed twice in the first innings. Although Cummins’ delivery narrowly missed the edge of Root’s bat, the message was sent to the opposition.
The England superstar continued his audacious approach in the following over by ramping Cameron Bancroft’s delivery directly behind the stumps for a six. He repeated the shot on the next ball and collected a boundary. Australia was compelled to position a fielder on the boundary immediately.
Starting the day with no runs from eight deliveries, Root exploded into action, taking control and overwhelming Scott Boland, who conceded 31 runs in his first three overs. Root and Ollie Pope swiftly built a 50-run partnership in just half an hour. However, their rampage was halted when Cummins produced a brilliant inswinging yorker that crashed into Pope’s off stump.
Shortly thereafter, despite having a fielder stationed at third man on the boundary, Root attempted the same shot against Cummins once more, but this time missed.
England accumulated an impressive 93 runs for the loss of only one wicket in 13.3 overs before the first drinks break of the day.
A ramp-bunctious start from Joe Root 🔥
What is going on!? 😂🤷♂️ #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ieMdbBnRAH
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 19, 2023
Meanwhile, former Australia seamer Damien Fleming, in a conversation on the SEN podcast ‘Whateley’, was asked for his opinion on Root’s decision to play a reverse ramp shot against Cummins on Day 4.
Fleming expressed his view: “I must admit I thought we got it wrong a little bit in the first innings. I thought you need to implement the ‘Bazball’ fields to Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow, and Ben Stokes to a degree.”
He added: I thought you needed to get a little bit more traditional to Ollie Pope and Joe Root because they just got too many easy ones and twos. Australia started with the traditional fields and then Joe Root starts reverse-ramping Scott Boland for fours and sixes. That actually stunned me, that tactic.”
Fleming further mentioned that Root’s reverse ramp was not a risky shot.
“For Joe Root, it’s not a real risk. He gets into position so quickly and he actually has the opportunity to either elevate or hit the ball square,” the veteran pacer added further.
