Ashes 2021-22: Off-spinner Joe Root stuns Usman Khawaja with a bouncer in Sydney

While an Ashes series generally has a lot of tense moments, the fourth day of the fourth Test saw a light-hearted moment. Having said that, it caught everyone off-guard. Seldom would you find a spinner bowling a bouncer, which forces the batter to duck. The fact that it was bowled by Joe Root, who happens to be a part-time bowler, makes it even more astonishing.

The incident occurred during the 47th over of the third innings. The English skipper was bowling his first over to Usman Khawaja, who was batting on 35. While bowling the final ball of the over, the 31-year-old bowled a bouncer out of nowhere, and stunned the Aussie batter.

As a matter of fact, even the stand-in wicket-keeper Ollie Pope was taken by surprise. It is to be noted that both, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow weren’t on the field at that time and thus, the substitute player was doing the glovework. Thus, both, the batter as well as the bowler, started chuckling.

Are you asleep and dreaming or is that a Joe Root bouncer 🔥#Ashes #PinkTest pic.twitter.com/PHVRx2YBcB

— Jane McGrath’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) January 8, 2022

Usman Khawaja scores back-to-back centuries in the Sydney Test

Moreover, even the commentators started laughing, and applauded Pope for being able to catch the ball. Post this delivery, the over ended and both the teams went for their tea break. However, what followed was absolute carnage. Usman Khawaja, alongside the youngster Cameron Green started to accelerate the innings.

While the all-rounder got to his half-century, the Queensland batter got to his second century of the match. In what comes as a surprising stat, in just one game, he has now scored more runs than every English batter except Joe Root in this series as of now.

Green was then dismissed for a 122-ball 74. When Alex Carey was dismissed off the next ball, Cummins declared the innings. The Root-led side now have to chase 388 in the fourth innings. While the task seems difficult to say the least, the Poms would definitely look to salvage some pride. Besides, the hosts have already won the series, and are leading by 3-0. While the visitors can’t bring the Urn back, they can certainly try to give a tough fight.