WATCH: Joe Root bounces Usman Khawaja; Aussie signals one for the over
England skipper Joe Root was seen bowling a steep bouncer from his usual run-up during Day 4 of the New Year’s Ashes Test at SCG, which got Australian left-hander Usman Khawaja in trouble.
Root bowled a well-directed short-ball to Khawaja, which prompted a funny reaction from the batter, who signalled one for the over.
Even the bowler couldn’t help but offer a smirk as he saw Khawaja duck underneath the ball aimed for his head before regaining his position and calling it the first bouncer for the over.
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Joe Root bowled a surprise bouncer to Usman Khawaja at SCG.
Joe Root bowls a steep bouncer to Usman Khawaja
The incident is from the last ball of the 48th over of the Australian second-innings – the final over before tea interval on Day 4. Joe Root, usually a gentle part-time off-spinner, bowled a sharp bouncer to Khawaja, who was taken by surprise and found the funny side of things, calling it one for the over.
Joe Root off the long run! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/K3Vpics1ZE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2022
Root seemingly decided to employ the short ball while he was still going through his action, before unleashing the ball that banged into the SGC track and was collected by stand-in keeper Ollie Pope head height. By Pope’s reaction, it became clear that nobody on the field had any idea what Root is upto and it wasn’t a pre-planned ball.
With Khawaja and rest of Australian batters intent to pile on the hosts’ lead towards a substantial target for the final afternoon at SCG, Root felt an unexpected bouncer is his best way to ensure a dot-ball just prior to the tea interval.
Root, who was always a handy off-break option, has taken his bowling to another level since the start of last year. He has emerged as England’s most bankable spinner whenever they need some control and leash on the opposition batting, especially against the left-handers. His most notable feat with the ball came during the D/N Test in Ahmedabad against India where on a turning pitch, Root bagged 5 wickets for just 8 runs.