People talk about Test cricket dying but we’ve witnessed the most amazing series between England and New Zealand 2022, with each and every match and every session and hour being super exciting. Batting, bowling, fielding – we’ve seen brilliance across all departments between these two sides, both giving it their 100% at all times.
The scoreline read 2-0 in favour of England after the first couple of games but don’t let that fool you. New Zealand were in the driver’s seat many times right through the series, including in the 3rd Test in Headingley. Here, they set the hosts 296 runs to win in the 4th innings of the final game, and we saw some exquisite strokes being played by the Englishmen during the chase.
Joe Root reverse sweeps pacer for SIX!
Initially, it was Zak Crawley who was getting a move on, hitting Trent Boult for four boundaries in a single over at one stage. Crawley was dismissed for 25(33) and then, former captain Joe Root came out and started having a little bit of fun himself. Batting at 16(36) at one stage, you’d think Root was one with his usual business at a similar strike rate that he always does.
However, he brought out a shot that we haven’t seen many times before, even in the T10 or T20 formats. We consider him one of the best Test cricketers in the world and here, his shot was nothing like one you’d expect to see in the longest format, literally reverse sweeping a pace bowler for a maximum.
SEE ALSO: List of top online sports betting websites
No, we’re not kidding. Root actually had the audacity to change his stance and reverse paddle/sweep Neil Wagner for six over third man. It’s nothing like we’ve ever seen before and that shows how good a batsman he is. Anything he touches is bringing out the right result and here also, he stunned the Leeds crowd with this six.
We all know that the English batsmen have been adopting an attacking approach right through this game and this series as well. With Brendon McCullum at the helm as coach, there’s not much different that you would expect. However, you’d imagine that Joe Root would be an exception and you should take a look at this shot yourself in order to believe it:
Corrrrrrrrr, Joe Root that is something#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/NbzWslVfvI
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) June 26, 2022
What an outrageous shot it was from Root and of course, the bowler couldn’t do much more than smile about it. At the time of writing this, England were batting at 135/2 with Root batting on 35* and Ollie Pope completing a fifty. England seem to be on track to complete a 3-0 whitewash in the series. We’re expecting the game to end within the first or second session of Day 5!
For more updates from the 2022 New Zealand tour of England and other cricketing news from around the world, remember to always stay tuned to ReadScoops.com.
Register on 10Cric and get 100% first deposit bonus on this betting platform.
