Australia’s fightback gathered even more force as Mitchell Starc, brought back into the attack, struck with his second ball to dismiss Joe Root for 8 off 11 balls. England, who were 76/3 not long ago, suddenly find themselves slipping rapidly in the second session of Day 2.
Starc began his over with a probing back-of-a-length delivery outside off, which Root guided towards backward point. But the real damage came next ball.
19.2 – Starc to Root, OUT Bowled!
A trademark Starc wicket: full, fast, angling in. Root attempted to play it with soft hands but ended up dragging it onto his stumps. As soon as the ball brushed the inside edge, the bails lit up, triggering loud celebrations from Australia.
Root’s dismissal — Root b Starc 8(11) — adds to England’s dramatic slide:
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Duckett ✔️
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Pope ✔️
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Brook ✔️
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Now Root ✔️
England’s middle order, which was cruising at one stage, has now been ripped apart within minutes by Boland and Starc working in tandem.
