Joe Root Backs Kookaburra Ball in County Championship to Upskill Cricketers

Joe Root Backs Kookaburra Ball in County Championship to Upskill Cricketers

Joe Root, England’s Test captain, has endorsed the use of the Kookaburra ball in the County Championship, arguing that it can enhance the skills of domestic cricketers and narrow the gap between domestic and international cricket.

The Kookaburra ball, typically used in Australia, was introduced in the first two rounds of the County Championship season. While the initial results showed a high number of draws, Root believes that the ball’s flatter seam and quicker loss of shape can challenge bowlers and force them to develop new strategies.

Root, who has extensive experience with the Kookaburra ball overseas, sees its use in England as an opportunity for bowlers to improve their wicket-taking abilities in challenging conditions. He emphasizes that the transition to the Kookaburra ball may involve some initial difficulties, but it can ultimately lead to a higher standard of cricket.

Root draws parallels to England’s success in limited-overs cricket, which he attributes to a mindset shift and the development of a pool of talented white-ball players. He believes that a similar approach can be applied to red-ball cricket, with the Kookaburra ball serving as a catalyst for improvement.

The Kookaburra ball trial is part of a wider effort to enhance the quality of domestic cricket and prepare players for the rigors of Test cricket. Root’s support for the initiative highlights the importance of embracing innovation and challenging the status quo to elevate the standard of the game.

Yorkshire Push for Victory as Glamorgan Struggle at Headingley

Yorkshire Push for Victory as Glamorgan Struggle at Headingley

Yorkshire continued their dominance over Glamorgan on day three of their Vitality County Championship clash at Headingley, extending their lead to 127 runs. Joe Root, who resumed on 92 overnight, completed a superb 156, while Fin Bean’s 173 helped Yorkshire post an imposing 519 for seven declared.

Glamorgan’s depleted bowling attack struggled to contain Yorkshire’s batsmen, with Root and Bean sharing a 265-run partnership for the third wicket. Harry Brook added 65, including two sixes, before Mason Crane sparked the declaration with a five-wicket haul.

Despite batting on a deteriorating pitch, Glamorgan’s openers Eddie Byrom and Joe Root started their second innings brightly, sharing 56 inside 18 overs. However, both fell either side of tea, and Kiran Carlson was unfortunate to be run out.

Sam Northeast and Colin Ingram steadied the ship for Glamorgan, reaching 46 and 43 respectively at the close of play. However, they will need to significantly build on their 78-run partnership to give Glamorgan a chance of avoiding defeat.

Billy Root Half-Century Against Brother Joe's Yorkshire in Rain-Hit Opener

Billy Root Half-Century Against Brother Joe’s Yorkshire in Rain-Hit Opener

Glamorgan’s Billy Root, the younger brother of England Test captain Joe Root, made a half-century against his sibling’s Yorkshire side on the rain-affected opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash at Headingley.

Billy Root, a left-handed opener, scored a measured 51 off 95 balls before lunch, helping Glamorgan reach 109 for four from 41 overs after electing to bat first. However, rain forced a three-and-a-half-hour delay from 1.45pm, and Yorkshire struck twice quickly in the delayed evening session. Bad light then meant no play beyond 6pm.

Yorkshire, desperate for their first win in five matches, opted to play two frontline spinners in Dan Moriarty and Dom Bess on the pitch used for last weekend’s draw against Derbyshire. Both bowlers claimed a wicket apiece in the morning session, with Moriarty dismissing Billy Root caught at short-leg just before lunch.

Earlier, Yorkshire seamer Matthew Coad trapped Eddie Byrom lbw for 18, leaving Glamorgan 18 for one. Billy Root and captain Sam Northeast then put on a 74-run stand, with Root driving nicely against seam and sweeping and reverse sweeping against spin. Northeast went on to make 29 before being run out in the evening.

The Root brothers have faced each other three times previously in county cricket, with Billy playing for either Nottinghamshire or Glamorgan. In the build-up to this game, Joe Root described the experience as a “horrible situation.” However, both have performed well against each other in the past.

In the two Championship matches they played in early 2021, Billy scored a century at Headingley and Joe a 99 at Cardiff. In this fixture, Joe Root dropped a tough first slip catch off Coad with Billy on six.

When play resumed at 5.30pm following afternoon rain, Northeast was run out backing up two balls into the delayed evening, leaving Glamorgan at 96 for three in the 34th over. Matthew Fisher got a hand on a crisp Kiran Carlson drive and deflected it onto the stumps.

Bess then had Carlson caught and bowled off an inside-edge with the first ball of his second over, his first of the session – 97 for four. Moriarty finished with one for 29 from 15 overs and Bess one for 14 from four.

Both sides are searching for their first win of 2024. While Yorkshire have drawn three and lost one, Glamorgan have drawn all three and came into this fixture bottom of the embryonic Division Two table.

The day’s play was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker, whose death at the age of 20 was announced on Thursday.

Madsen's Heroics Keep Derbyshire in Contention at Headingley

Madsen’s Heroics Keep Derbyshire in Contention at Headingley

Derbyshire’s valiant fightback, led by an injured Wayne Madsen, kept Yorkshire at bay on day two of their Vitality County Championship clash at Headingley. Despite centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root, Madsen’s unbeaten 88 and Brooke Guest’s 74 helped Derbyshire close on 190 for 3, trailing by 260 runs.

Yorkshire resumed on 276 for 3, with Root and Brook continuing their dominance. Root reached his century off 163 balls, while Brook notched his ninth for Yorkshire off 102 balls. The hosts declared on 450 for 5, securing a fifth batting point.

Derbyshire’s catching woes continued, with Brook dropped at mid-on on 106. However, Madsen, despite nursing an injured right hand, showed no signs of discomfort. He shared a 167-run partnership with Guest, who also reached a half-century.

Yorkshire’s bowlers, led by Matthew Fisher, had initially struck twice in the opening spell. But Madsen and Guest’s resilience frustrated the hosts. Madsen’s six over long-on off Jack Hill was a testament to his determination.

Guest’s life on 35, when dropped by Jonny Tattersall, proved costly for Yorkshire. By the close, Derbyshire had consolidated their position, with Madsen and Guest batting confidently.

The weather forecast for day three is poor, so Yorkshire may need to force a result in three days of playing time. Madsen and Guest’s partnership has given Derbyshire a fighting chance, but Yorkshire remain favorites with a substantial lead.

Yorkshire Dominate Derbyshire on Day One of Vitality County Championship Clash

Yorkshire Dominate Derbyshire on Day One of Vitality County Championship Clash

Yorkshire dominated the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash against Derbyshire at Headingley, thanks to an impressive batting performance led by Adam Lyth, Joe Root, and Harry Brook.

Lyth, Yorkshire’s in-form opener, set the tone with a well-crafted 97, hitting 15 fours in 157 balls. He narrowly missed out on a third century in four Championship matches this season when he edged Zak Chappell behind.

Root and Brook then took center stage, sharing an entertaining and unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 71. Root, the England captain, played a more accumulative role, scoring 65 not out in 99 balls. Brook, on the other hand, was much more aggressive, hitting 44 not out in just 37 balls, including a straight six off Luis Reece.

Derbyshire’s bowlers struggled to contain Yorkshire’s batsmen, despite creating several chances. Four catches were dropped behind the wicket, including Lyth on 22 and 80. Shan Masood, Yorkshire’s captain, also contributed with a quickfire 40, hitting 10 fours in 25 balls.

The first wicket to fall was controversial, with Fin Bean trapped lbw by Anuj Dal for 18. Replays showed that fielder Pat Brown slid into the rope trying to save a boundary, but the call of three runs stood.

Despite the dropped catches, Derbyshire’s bowling was not at its best, offering up too many boundary opportunities. Their former overseas player, Masood, took advantage, hitting seven fours in 10 balls across two overs from Dal and Chappell.

The weather intervened just before 4pm, with bad light and rain bringing an early end to the day’s play. Yorkshire closed on 276 for 3 from 59 overs, with Root and Brook well-set to continue their partnership on day two.

Joe Root to make Yorkshire return in County Championship

Joe Root to make Yorkshire return in County Championship

Joe Root, England’s Test captain, is set to make his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket for Yorkshire in the County Championship. Root, who last played for his county in May 2022, will line up against Gloucestershire in the second round of the competition.

Root’s return is a major boost for Yorkshire, who are aiming to return to Division One after suffering relegation in 2022. The 33-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world, and his presence in the team will be a huge asset.

Root’s last appearance for Yorkshire came in a T20 Blast match in June 2022. He has since played in the Hundred for Trent Rockets and for England in the Ashes and India series.

Root’s return to Yorkshire will also be a welcome boost for England, who have a busy summer ahead of them. England will host West Indies and Sri Lanka for three-Test series, and will then travel to Pakistan and New Zealand before the end of the year.

Root will be hoping to use the next month to tune up ahead of a bumper six months. He will be looking to regain his form after a disappointing tour of India, during which he scored 320 runs at 35.55.

Yorkshire will be hoping to make the most of the availability of both Root and Harry Brook, who returned to action last week after missing the opening fixture against Leicestershire. Brook, who had not played since England’s white-ball tour of the West Indies in December, returned to action with a crisp unbeaten 100 off just 69 deliveries.

Brook’s last fixture will be against Glamorgan at home, starting May 3, before taking a break ahead of England’s T20 series against Pakistan that leads into the T20 World Cup.

Ashwin Slams England’s Bazball Approach as “Defenseless Cricket”

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s star spinner, has weighed in on England’s controversial “Bazball” approach, which has sparked heated debates in the cricketing world. Ashwin, who emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded five-match series against England, believes that Bazball is not merely about aggressive batting but also involves a lack of defensive strategy.

Ashwin expressed surprise at Joe Root, renowned for his impeccable batting technique, embracing the Bazball approach. “Bazball isn’t just aggressive cricket. It is defenseless cricket,” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel. “They aren’t going to play a defensive shot at all. They are going to get out if they play defense.”

Ashwin also criticized England’s overconfidence, particularly James Anderson’s assertion that they could chase down a target of 600 in the second Test. “James Anderson went into a press conference and told the press that even if the 4th innings target was 500 or 600, we’ll finish it in 60 overs,” Ashwin said. “It felt like they had gone too far.”

England’s coach, Brendon McCullum, has acknowledged the need for adjustments to the Bazball approach. “Sometimes, you can get away with things,” McCullum admitted. “But when you’re exposed the way we have been in the back end of this series in particular, it does require some pretty deep thinking and some adjustment.”

Ashwin’s analysis highlights the complexities of the Bazball approach. While it has led to some spectacular victories for England, it has also exposed their vulnerability to disciplined bowling. The debate over Bazball is likely to continue as teams seek to find the right balance between aggression and defense.

Gavaskar Lauds Root's Admiration for Ashwin's Bowling Prowess

Gavaskar Lauds Root’s Admiration for Ashwin’s Bowling Prowess

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, recently expressed his admiration for England batter Joe Root’s high regard for Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling prowess. In a heartfelt conversation with Ashwin after the conclusion of the India vs England Test series, Gavaskar highlighted the significance of Root’s praise for the seasoned all-rounder.

Root had earlier acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Ashwin to premier batters, emphasizing the spinner’s ability to consistently trouble opponents with his crafty bowling variations. Gavaskar echoed these sentiments, stating that Ashwin’s ability to outfox batters with a diverse array of deliveries and tactical maneuvers has always been a highlight of his career.

Ashwin, who marked his 100th Test appearance for Team India in the series, delivered a stellar performance, claiming nine wickets as India clinched victory by an innings and 64 runs. He set a new record by registering the best bowling figures (9 for 128) in a 100th Test, surpassing Muthiah Muralitharan’s record.

Gavaskar conveyed the sentiment shared by many cricket enthusiasts, emphasizing Ashwin’s ability to outwit batters with a diverse array of deliveries and tactical maneuvers. “A lot of good players of spin bowling will be thinking a hundred times about how to cope with you,” Gavaskar remarked, echoing Root’s sentiments.

In response, Ashwin credited his adaptability and willingness to experiment, acknowledging the evolving nature of modern cricket and the importance of staying ahead in a game increasingly influenced by detailed analysis and strategic planning.

Ashwin’s remarkable achievements in Test cricket, including his record-breaking 36 five-wicket hauls, underscore his status as one of India’s premier bowlers. With a stellar performance in the series against England, Ashwin further solidified his reputation as a key asset for the Indian team across all formats.

As Ashwin embarks on his journey beyond the milestone of 100 Tests, his contributions to Indian cricket continue to inspire admiration and reverence from fans and peers alike. With upcoming challenges on the horizon, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Bangladesh Test series, Ashwin’s leadership and expertise are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s cricketing fortunes in the times to come.

India Clinches 4-1 Series Win Over England in Dharamsala

India Clinches 4-1 Series Win Over England in Dharamsala

As the fifth and final Test between India and England reached its third day at the picturesque Dharamsala stadium, the outcome seemed inevitable for the visitors. With half of their team dismissed and the target still distant, a triumph for India appeared imminent. Amidst the bleak situation, England’s seasoned campaigner, Joe Root, led the resistance.

However, an intriguing exchange between young Sarfaraz Khan, stationed at short-leg, and England’s young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir added a touch of levity to the unfolding drama. Overheard on the stump microphone, Sarfaraz quipped, “Hit it quickly and finish the game, we will go up on the snow for a walk.” His sentiment resonated with players and spectators alike, eager to explore the tourist destination nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Before the tea interval, England’s resistance crumbled, culminating in a comprehensive innings-and-64-run victory for India in just two-and-a-half days. This triumph sealed a 4-1 series win for India, granting fans a weekend to indulge in the scenic beauty of the region.

Following England’s impressive comeback victory in the first Test at Hyderabad, India’s dominance at home appeared to be under threat. However, over the next six weeks, India showcased their prowess by winning four Tests and unearthing a cadre of young match-winners.

India’s coach, Rahul Dravid, acknowledged the absence of key players like Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami but lauded the contributions of the younger generation. Dravid praised Rohit Sharma’s leadership and the team’s collective effort, emphasizing their ability to play aggressive and entertaining cricket even on fair pitches.

Joe Root Surges to No. 2 in ICC Test Batting Rankings

Joe Root Surges to No. 2 in ICC Test Batting Rankings

Joe Root has ascended to the No. 2 spot in the ICC Test batting rankings, trailing only New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. This surge follows Steven Smith’s recent dip in form, which saw him fall below 800 points for the first time since 2014.

Root’s resurgence, marked by a century against India in Ranchi last month, has been the primary beneficiary of Smith’s decline. Since assuming the role of Australia’s Test opener, Smith has struggled, posting scores of 31 and 0 in the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

Smith’s teammate Marnus Labuschagne, another former No. 1-ranked batter, has also fallen out of the top ten for the first time since December 2019. His meager total of three runs in the same match has contributed to his slide. Travis Head, who achieved a career-best ranking of No. 2 during last year’s Ashes, has also slipped to No. 12 after twin scores of 1 and 29.

Head’s decline has paved the way for three Indian batters to rise in the rankings. Yashaswi Jaiswal has broken into the top ten for the first time, amassing 665 runs in the ongoing series against England. Rohit Sharma follows closely at No. 11, while Virat Kohli climbs one place to No. 8 despite missing the series due to the recent birth of his child.

Cameron Green has been the most significant climber in the batting rankings this week. His match-winning 174 not out in Australia’s first innings at Wellington has propelled him 22 places to 23rd position, a career-best tally of 661 points.

Williamson, with 870 points, maintains a comfortable lead over Root (799) at the top of the rankings. His remarkable run of seven centuries in his last eight Tests has solidified his dominance.

On the bowling front, Nathan Lyon’s 10-wicket match haul against New Zealand has elevated him two places to No. 6 in the rankings, just two points shy of his career-best tally at Edgbaston last year. Glenn Phillips, New Zealand’s offspinning allrounder, has made significant gains on both the batting and bowling fronts, while Matt Henry has climbed into the top 20 for the first time after taking eight wickets in the match.

Ireland’s historic Test victory against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi has also impacted the rankings. Mark Adair’s eight wickets in the match have moved him up 30 slots to 69th position on the bowling charts, while Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Paul Stirling, and Andy McBrine have all moved into the top 100 in the batting rankings. Hashmatullah Shahidi has gained five places to reach 81st position among the batters, while Naveed Zadran has moved up 32 places to 79th among the bowlers.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart