England were forced to momentarily abandon their famed ‘Bazball’ approach on the opening day of the third Test against India at Lord’s, reverting instead to a more traditional, grinding style of Test cricket. On a pitch offering enough assistance for the bowlers, it was Joe Root who anchored the innings with a masterclass in patience and application, guiding England to 251/4 at stumps after 83 overs of attritional cricket.
The shift in England’s approach didn’t go unnoticed. India’s seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin couldn’t resist taking a cheeky dig at the hosts’ change in tactics. “Everyone expected Bazball, but they played Prankball,” Ashwin joked on his YouTube channel. “England usually score at 4 to 4.5 runs an over, but today they crawled at three an over.”
Ravichandran Ashwin, however, also acknowledged Joe Root’s impact. “I’ve always said Root scoring runs is crucial. He proved it again. Cometh the hour, cometh the man — that’s how Test cricket should be played.”
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Root, who ended Day 1 unbeaten on 99, wasted no time on Day 2, reaching his 37th Test century off the first ball of the morning. It was yet another milestone in his glittering career, and his calm presence was a reminder of why he remains one of England’s most dependable red-ball players.
Later, speaking about his sharp one-handed catch that dismissed Karun Nair, Joe Root said, “I’ll definitely be watching that one back. It’s been a while coming. There were a few drops before, but this one was important — glad I held onto it.”
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He added, “You always want to contribute — whether with the bat, ball, or in the field. Standing at first slip, I try to put myself in positions to make an impact. That’s the role — help the lads however I can.”
Root’s innings and leadership in the field reminded fans and critics alike that when conditions demand it, England still know how to grind it out — Bazball or not.
