Joe Root’s lean patch continued in the opening Ashes Test at Perth, and it didn’t escape the sharp criticism of former Australia opener David Warner, who launched a stinging attack on the England star after yet another cheap dismissal.
Root, who fell for a duck in the first innings, managed just eight runs off 11 balls in the second before Mitchell Starc removed him once again in the 20th over. Both dismissals followed a similar pattern—Root chasing balls outside off stump and paying the price.
In the first innings, he edged to the slips. In the second, he attempted an expansive drive to a ball not in his hitting zone and dragged it back onto his stumps. The shot selection drew immediate criticism.
Starc Dominates Root Again
Root’s latest dismissal marked the 10th time Starc has removed him in Test cricket. Against the left-arm quick, Root has now faced 639 balls, scored 349 runs, averages just over 34, and has fallen 10 times—a rare record for a batter of his stature.
England Lose Control — Warner Blasts Bazball
England appeared in command after securing a 40-run first-innings lead, but they threw it away quickly with a collapse triggered by poor shot selection. Ben Duckett (28), Ollie Pope (33), Harry Brook (0), and Root all departed in a short span.
Pope, Brook, and Root played overly aggressive shots, which provoked a strong on-air reaction from Warner during Fox Cricket commentary.
“It’s Bazball with no sense… Now we want some smarts in the game, and that just isn’t smart—especially from a guy with over 10,000 runs. They’re well ahead of the game, and that passage of play could prove costly,” Warner said.
Australia’s comeback was powered by Scott Boland, who picked up three wickets in 11 balls, removing Duckett, Pope, and Brook to swing momentum back in Australia’s favour.
How Root Was Dismissed
Starc delivered a good-length ball that wasn’t in the driving arc, but Root went for a booming drive anyway, with his hands well away from his body. The result: a thick inside-edge crashing into the stumps. Starc celebrated animatedly along with stand-in captain Steve Smith.
Earlier, when England were bowled out for 172 in the first innings, former captain Michael Vaughan had already criticised the lower order for not supporting debutant Jamie Smith enough.
Australia’s First Innings Recap
Australia were bundled out for 132, conceding a 40-run lead, as Ben Stokes starred with a five-wicket haul. Not a single Australian batter crossed 30, exposing their struggle on the lively Perth surface.
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