Joe Root's heroics after returning from hospital fails as Australia win 4-0
Root tried his best to lead the fight back but it was not to be.
England skipper Joe Root was battling the Australian heat along with their pace attack and spinner Nathan Lyon. On the fourth day, chasing a huge deficit of 303 runs, England were left high and dry as they lost their 4th wicket for 68 runs. Skipper Root’s fighting 42 off 124 balls and Jonny Bairstow’s 17 off 45 balls took the side to stumps without further damage in the scorching Sydney heat.
On the 5th day, Root did not come to bat first up as he was taken to hospital for the checkups where he got treatment for gastroenteritis. It was Moeen Ali who walked out to bat with Bairstow to lead the English fight last time this Ashes summer. Australian skipper Steve Smith decided to bowl with pace and spin in tandem as Josh Hazelwood and Lyon bowled cautiously and didn’t let the England batters get going.
Bairstow who looked very strong with his defence during his innings hit the 1st four of the morning to take them to the 100-run mark. Ali was scratchy during his stay in the middle as he got away with a couple of close opportunities. Eventually, the off-spinner had his victim (7th time in the series) hitting his pads when they were right in front of the wickets.
Struggling Root returned to bail out the side
Root who was in the hospital being diagnosed a little while ago was in the middle of the pitch to face the music from the Australian bowlers. Will he be able to deny Australia and inspire the English side to draw the game? He faced a tall ask and the challenge multiplied manifolds due to his health.
The skipper soon completed the fifty, his 5th of the series when he flicked Lyon for a three towards fine-leg. Bairstow was rock solid at the other end as well. The Australian bowlers were not giving anything away but the English duo was fighting it out. In the morning session, England only lost Moeen Ali and would’ve been happy with how things panned out.
But to everyone’s surprise, the England skipper didn’t return post lunch as the news came in that he was unwell and was struggling. Australia sensed the opportunity as Pat Cummins removed set Bairstow and Stuart Broad in the span of 3 balls to leave them in tatters. James Anderson along with Tom Curran delayed the Australian victory but eventually, 4-0 was unavoidable.
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