WATCH | Joe Root take a nasty Starc bouncer in the helmet and Twitter goes into meltdown
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The Ashes have always been the most competitive series in Test cricket and despite the rivalry on the field, off it, there has always been mutual admiration. Today, when a Mitchell Starc bouncer almost knocked out Joe Root, the former was the first person to approach Root to check on his condition.
Injuries are part and parcel of every sport and some of them can be unbearable to watch. The death of Phil Hughes, who was hit by a bouncer at the back of the head, sent shock waves down the cricketing world. It appears that the incident is still fresh in Australia as even with the Ashes on the line, Starc was quick to check with Roy after he was hit by a fearsome bouncer.
In the first Test, with England on the ropes, Root was facing a Mitchell Starc who smelt blood. Bowling at a pace of 144.4 kph, on a wicket that was finally showing signs of good bounce, Starc bowled a short delivery which was right on the money. The ball his Root flat on his helmet and it looked like a jarring blow as the Englishman looked dazed by the hit. The replays showed that ball smashed into the helmet on his left side at such as speed that the strap had come right off. What followed was a great display of sportsmanship as the Australian players, led by Starc, reached out to Root checking on his well being.
After Root had been cleared to continue by the English medical staff, Starc bowled yet another bouncer, that missed the England skipper narrowly, to show that the game was back on.
Here are the tweets about the incident and the game:
The Australian cricket team remembers!
Big blow to the head for @root66, good to see Starc and his fellow Aussies quickly checking he is ok.... #Ashes
— Liam Killington (@Killi87) November 25, 2017
Nice little moment between Joe Root and Mitchell Starc after Root is hit by a bouncer. I'd completely forgotten about Philip Hughes. Obviously they haven't
— Kristian Brock (@CatchTwentyToo) November 25, 2017
The same can't be said about the Aussie crowd though!
Disgusting cheering from the Aussies about @root66 being hit on the head... on the near anniversary of Phil Hughes. #ashes #stayclassyaustralia
— Yogita Davies (@tightsbatty) November 25, 2017
Joe Root takes it like a champ! :)
90mph hits him in the face and Joe Root smiles #ashes
— Berkshire Blade (@Berkshireblade) November 25, 2017
Normal service resumes!
Joe Root gets hit. Mitch Starc rushes to show concern. Next ball - bouncer. #Ashes
— Joseph Ryan (@josephryan79) November 25, 2017
England's day in a single tweet!
Joe Root helmet is just like our team. Falling apart#ashes
— terry peel (@TerryPeel) November 25, 2017
But what an innings from Steve Smith today!
13th ton in 27 Tests for Smith as skipper. He averages 72 in charge. Only Don Bradman (102) averaged more as captain with >5 Test hundreds #Ashes
— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) November 25, 2017
Steve Smith giving Virat Kohli a run for his money!
Average at Home : 71.88 with 11 centuries
— Vikram C (@Vikram7723) November 25, 2017
Average Away : 53.94 with 10 centuries
Steve Smith is undoubtedly the best test cricketer in the world right now. Period! #Ashes
Yeah, that's how long Smith's innings lasted!
During this Steve Smith innings, that pool couple has got married, had a couple of kids, separated, reconciled and moved to Perth. #Ashes
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) November 25, 2017
Will history repeat itself?
Captains scoring an ASHES Century at Brisbane in the last 39 years:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) November 25, 2017
2006/07: Ricky Ponting (Series: Australia won 5-0)
2010/11: Andrew Strauss (Series: England won 3-1)
2013/14: Michael Clarke (Series: Australia won 5-0)
2017/18: STEVEN SMITH (Series: ???)#Ashes
And finally this....
Local paper on Gabba scoring rate.
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) November 25, 2017
Day 1 England batting "Bore-me army"
Day 2 Australia batting
"Thou shall not pass"#ashes#bbccricket pic.twitter.com/LZPYFgNQBs
