Root smashed his way to an unbeaten 118 as England declared on 393/8 on the Day 1 after winning the toss and opting to bat in the first Test against Australia at Edgbaston.
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FirstCricket Staff
- June 16th, 2023
- 23:30:51 IST
England’s Joe Root celebrates after completing his 30th Test hundred on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test against Australia in Birmingham. AP
Joe Root was off to a spectacular start in the 2023 Ashes, slamming his 30th Test hundred on the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Birmingham on Friday.
Root smashed seven fours and four sixes in an attacking knock, forging a 121-run sixth-wicket partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow and helping England amass nearly 400 runs on the opening day.
His counterattack helped the Englishmen recover after they were reduced to 176/5 at one stage, and did not shy away from going for unorthodox shots, among them a series of reverse sweeps.
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The former England captain would reach the milestone with a single in the evening session, taking 145 deliveries to bring up the three-figure mark and would smash veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon for two sixes in a 20-run over not long after. It would be his first Ashes hundred since his 130 at Trent Bridge in 2015.
Not only did the Edgbaston crowd go, “Rooooooot!” after the senior batter brought up his 100 and took off his helmet in celebration, it also led to a deluge of congratulatory messages and admiration on social media.
Here are select reactions to Root’s majestic knock:
Joe Root has hit 2 reverse scoop sixes today off 85 mph seam bowlers … !! He is an incredible player … btw … what a first day this has been … entertainment of the highest order … #Ashes #OnOn
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 16, 2023
That’s Joe Root’s first Ashes hundred since Trent Bridge 2015, a gap of 16 matches. Enormous roar from the crowd. Has been pure class, his 30th ton in Test cricket.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) June 16, 2023
Magnificent innings from Joe Root. Rarely in anything other than utter control.#TheAshes #ENGvAUS
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) June 16, 2023
England skipper Ben Stokes would then make a surprising declaration with England seven short of the 400-run mark and with two wickets in hand. Stokes’ declaration would give pacers Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson enough time to send down two overs each as Australia ended the day on 14/0.
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Updated Date: June 16, 2023 23:30:51 IST
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