Injury Scare For England As Captain Joe Root Leaves Nets After Getting Hit On The Hand

Just a couple of days ahead of the beginning of their Test series with New Zealand, England were struck with a major scare as skipper Joe Root was hit on his right hand while taking throwdowns from head coach Chris Silverwood.

On Monday, Joe Root copped a blow to his hand as while practising in nets; Silverwood was using the ‘dog-thrower’ training device to prepare the batsman for the Kiwi pacers.

According to the Daily Mail, Joe Root immediately left the nets for treatment after being struck by the ball and later worked inside with assistant coach Paul Collingwood before returning to England’s first major outdoor practice of the summer.

Later, it was reported that the hand was bruised and the skipper is likely to sit out from the outdoor nets on Tuesday as a precautionary measure. However, there seems to be no doubt over his participation in the first Test at Lord’s from Wednesday, June 2. The second Test is scheduled for June 10 at Edgbaston. Following this, Kane Williamson’s side will take on Virat Kohli’s Team India in the WTC final from June 18 in Southampton.

We’ve got an opportunity to keep improving and peak for Australia, which is the pinnacle: Joe Root

Joe Root has been in phenomenal form over in 2021; he struck three big tons – 2 double hundreds – in the first three Tests of the year against Sri Lanka and against India.

His form has rubbed onto his team as well – England registered series wins in South Africa last year and Sri Lanka this year, and a Test match victory over the Asian giants in Chennai as well.

While they have a Test series against New Zealand and India planned, for the 30-year-old skipper, and for the Three Lions, it is the away Ashes later in the year which is the pinnacle, and when Joe Root wishes the side will peak.

“We’ve made good strides over the last couple of years as a Test team,” he said. “It’s not been plain sailing, we’ve not had it all our own way, but we still improved.

“I truly believe we are making good strides in the right direction, and now we’ve got an opportunity to keep improving, keep getting better and peak for Australia, which is the pinnacle for us,” Joe Root had earlier told Sky Sports.