Despite being 209-7 at one stage, Australian team managed to take the first-innings lead to England’s first innings score of 302, thanks to Steve Smith’s impressive century which helped them to take the lead of 26 runs.

In the 2nd innings, England once again lost Alastair Cook cheaply and James Vince early, closing the day on 33-2. During the innings, Mitchell Starc also bamboozled Joe Root with the short delivery striking the grill of the English skipper’s helmet with such force that part of it could be seen breaking away.

After receiving a lot of treatment, Root was able to stay on with his wicket intact to the close of play. There was immediate concern from Starc and some other Australian players, as the incident coming almost 3 years to the day that Phillip Hughes, unfortunately, died after being struck by a bouncer during a game in Sydney.

Talking about the incident, Smith said, “It was a nasty blow. It’s never nice when the ball goes back down the wicket. For a bouncer, that’s where you’re supposed to bowl them; it’s never nice to see anyone get hit like that, that’s for sure.”

Here is the video of the lethal bouncer bowled by Starc:

Brutal 😳 Thankfully Joe Root was given the all clear to continue batting #Ashes pic.twitter.com/zZsB3wTyXJ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 25, 2017