The Ashes 2023 is at its climax currently with either of the two results possible. A win ofr Australia in the final test would mean they win their second successive Ashes following up their brilliant performances in the year 2019. England meanwhile will have to win the 5th and final test necessarily in order to prevent themselves from succumbing to a series defeat after trailing 2-1 currently.
The fifth and decisive test has been an evenly poised one majorly so far. Each of the two sides have seemed to be immensely willing to bag a win at the Oval. Admist several noteworthy moments so far in this final test, one moment which took almost everyone by surprise took place in the second day of the final test was Joe Root’s brilliance in the field.
After having bundled out England for 283 in the first innings, Australia looked good with the bat as they steadily accumulated runs right from the beginning. Things seemed to proceed smoothly for the Australians as they had put up close to 100 runs on the board for the loss of just one wicket inside the 42 overs.
Khawaja and Labuschangne were well set in the middle and looked comfortable as they kept steering the score forward. However it was in the 5th delivery of the following over that things took an incredible turn thanks to some genius piece of work in the field by former English skipper, Joe root. Mark Wood delivered a fine outswinger thereby managing to outfox a dangerous looking Marnus Labuschangne.
The right hander looked to push it away but ended up getting a thick outside edge.The ball went flying into the slips some where between the wicket keeper and the first slip. Joe root at first slip showed tremendous reflexes to stretch out his left hand as the ball literally got stuck within his outstretched palm. The players were absolutely amazed at such wonderful effort by Root in the slips, and so was the crowd.
What an absolute blinder from @Root66 🔥
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 28, 2023
We bet you'll watch this more than once 🔂#SonySportsNetwork #TheAshes #Ashes2023 #RivalsForever #JoeRoot pic.twitter.com/5Z3mCx5Y5z
Thanks to this brilliant left handed catch by Root, England were able to send back a well set Mamus Labuschangne who had faced as many as 82 balls. Marnus’ walking back cheaply for 9 is definitely going to be of great relief to England. Their chances to win the test shall also be strengthened to a great extent for sure hereon,