Joe Root produced a stunning moment in the field during the second ODI against Australia, taking a spectacular diving catch at first slip to dismiss Mitchell Marsh. The England batter leapt to his left and plucked a thick outside edge off Sonny Baker's bowling to give the visitors an important early breakthrough.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to field at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, November 15. England made the most of the batting-friendly conditions and posted 355/6 in 50 overs, their highest-ever ODI total on Australian soil. The visitors put themselves in a strong position in the match.
Joe Root Takes Stunning Diving Catch to Dismiss Mitchell Marsh
Sonny Baker claimed his first wicket in the fourth over after Mitchell Marsh attempted to attack a hard-length delivery outside off stump. The Australian opener threw his hands at the ball and got a thick outside edge, sending it quickly towards the slip cordon.
Joe Root reacted sharply at first slip, diving to his left and completing a brilliant two-handed catch. The veteran batter plucked the ball out of thin air as Marsh departed. Baker was visibly delighted after claiming his first wicket of the innings.
WHAT A SCREAMER FROM JOE ROOT 🤯 #AUSvENG https://t.co/diDPkK2NtR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 15, 2026
Former England captain Michael Vaughan praised Baker's energy and ability to move the ball in both directions while commenting on Australia's difficult start during Test Match Special.
"It bounces on Mitchell Marsh who was looking to launch it over the scoreboard. England aren't putting a foot wrong.
Sonny Baker reminds me of a young Darren Gough - he bustles it, can move it both ways and has a real energy. Gough lit up Australia on a couple of tours in the 90s. Australia are panicking."
Joe Root Becomes First England Batter to Score 50 ODI Half-Centuries
Joe Root had earlier reached a major milestone with the bat, becoming the first England player to score 50 half-centuries in ODI cricket. Batting at No. 3, he scored 62 off 68 deliveries after Ben Duckett departed for nine, bringing up his landmark fifty in 50 balls.
The 2019 World Cup winner has 20 centuries and 50 half-centuries in 201 ODI appearances. He also holds England's record for the most ODI centuries and half-centuries. Eoin Morgan is second on the country's half-century list with 42 in 225 matches, followed by Ian Bell with 35 in 161 games.
He ranks eighth on the overall ODI list. Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart with 96 in 463 matches, followed by Kumar Sangakkara (93) and Jacques Kallis (86). Rahul Dravid and Inzamam-ul-Haq both scored 83, while Ricky Ponting finished with 82. Virat Kohli has recorded 80 half-centuries.
Tom Banton's Century Powers England to Record ODI Total in Australia
Joe Root and Tom Banton added 137 runs for the second wicket, registering England's highest second-wicket partnership in an ODI at Adelaide. Root departed for 62 after attempting to hit Cooper Connolly over the leg side, but his leading edge went to substitute fielder Liam Scott at cover point.
Harry Brook followed soon after, scoring just five. Banton continued to attack and brought up his second ODI century in 86 deliveries. He eventually departed for an impressive 121 after hitting two consecutive sixes off Xavier Bartlett, who was Australia's most successful bowler with figures of 3/72.
Banton and Jordan Cox had added 37 runs for the fourth wicket before the former's dismissal. Cox then joined Will Jacks to put England in control with a 102-run stand for the fifth wicket. Cox scored 67 off 49 balls, reaching his half-century from 39 deliveries, while Jacks remained unbeaten on 54.
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