Joe Root wishes Steve Smith a speedy recovery; calls the blow ‘a horrible moment’

There’s no hiding the rivalry between Australia and England. However, the franchise cricket like Indian Premier League, Big Bash League has made the game highly friendly, though that doesn’t mean the rivalry has subsided.

During the first three innings of the Ashes 2019 in England, the England bowlers found it almost impossible to dismiss Steve Smith, who was in the form of his life and was enjoying everything- including the balls he left. But then came the Jofra Archer bouncer that hit Smith, forcing him to retire hurt. Though Smith somehow returned, he was substituted after the 1st innings.

However, England skipper Joe Root called it a ‘horrible moment’. Root said, “That was a horrible moment.” Root was quoted as saying by Indian Today that he couldn’t believe that Smith managed to come back out and play, desperate to do well for Australia and his teammates. “All of us in the dressing room want to wish him a speedy recovery. It was not a nice moment and we’ll plan for him to be ready to play and figure out ways to get him out.”, Root added.

Jofra Archer unleashing venom

Constantly hitting the 94 miles/hr mark on the speedometer, Jofra Archer made England realize what they were missing. With a cheeky smile on his face, he kept troubling the Australian batsmen like no other England bowler. Though he picked up just 5 wickets in the game, he was a pivotal reason behind England’s dominance in the Lord’s Test.

Concussion replacement Marnus Labuschagne had concussion fear too

Marnus Labuschagne, who became the first cricketer to come in as a concussion substitute player in Test cricket, was also hit on the helmet by the Caribbean born Archer. The moment when Labuschagne got the real taste of Test cricket.

But they say when you know the importance of something you fight for it till the last moment. Once Labuschagnewas passed fit to continue, he ensured he made the opportunity count. He went on to score a fighting half-century (59) to save the game for Australia and ensure they headed into the 3rd game in Leeds with a 1-0 lead.

Watch: 5 Fielders who saved most runs in 2019 World Cup

~ Written by Mohit Raj