England opener Ben Duckett on Saturday defended middle-order batter Joe Root’s dismissal. Root, in England’s first innings, got out playing a risky shot and faced a lot of flak from former cricketers for the dismissal. Duckett, however, after the match said he considered the dismissal as the same as playing a drive or a nick.
England were in a good position coming into day 3 of the IND vs ENG 3rd Test. England started the day at 207/2 and looked on course to pile on a big total in reply to India’s 445. However, England lost the last eight wickets in just 112 runs as England were bundled out for just 319 runs.
Following a boundary against Jasprit Bumrah in the second over, Root tried a reverse scoop shot in the following over but miscued it, giving Jaiswal an easy catch and a cheap wicket to India. As Root trudged off the field, his head thrown back in exasperation, his frustration was evident.
Former cricketers came down harshly on Root following the dismissal. Nick Knight, for example, questioned the timing and necessity of such a risky shot given the match situation and Root’s recent form.
However, Duckett defended Root’s dismissal after the day’s play. “Rooty is a freak and does things a lot of us can’t do. In my eyes that dismissal is the same as playing a drive and nicking off. He plays the reverse scoop so well and I’m sure a lot of people weren’t [criticising it] when it worked in the summer,” Duckett said.
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