Joe Root has expressed his belief that the reverse scoop he executed against Australia during the Edgbaston Test was primarily aimed at sending a message to the spectators, rather than making a statement to the Australian team. Root’s outstanding innings of 118 not out in the first innings at Edgbaston, coupled with his aggressive knock of 46 in the second innings, showcased his intent to play attacking cricket.
One of the notable features of Root’s innings was his audacious attempt to play a reverse scoop on the very first ball of the fourth day. Although he was unsuccessful on that occasion, he later found success against Scott Boland, hitting him for a six and a boundary. In an interview with BBC Sport ahead of the Lord’s Test, Root clarified that his intention was not solely to make a statement to Australia but rather to demonstrate to the fans present at Edgbaston that England wanted to adopt an aggressive approach, in line with their “Bazball” mantra.
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Joe Root emphasized that the outcome of the shot was not of great importance to him, as long as he did not get dismissed. He stated, “The objective wasn’t specifically to make a statement to Australia; it was more about conveying to everyone in the stadium how we want to approach the game.” Root further explained, “Although there is an element of risk involved, my focus was on ensuring that I didn’t lose my wicket, regardless of the outcome.”
The beauty of watching Joe Root practice his reverse ramp is how late he gets into position for it, which gives the bowler no chance but also tells you how much control he’s got with the shot now #Ashes pic.twitter.com/FKTrR48JVx
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 27, 2023
The England captain went on to disclose that he made the decision to attempt the shot just ten minutes before stepping onto the field, aiming to shift the momentum back in favor of his team.
“I made up my mind about playing it approximately ten minutes before going out to bat,” Joe Root revealed. “I was sitting beside Stuart Broad, with Ollie Pope across the room from us. Following a challenging period the previous night, we sensed an opportunity to regain momentum.”
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By executing the reverse scoop and maintaining an aggressive mindset throughout his innings, Root demonstrated his determination to lead England’s Test team in a bold and exciting manner. His intention to captivate the crowd and convey England’s desire for attacking cricket underscores the team’s commitment to playing with flair and purpose.
