Massive blow for England as Joe Root taken for scans after injuring his bowling arm while fielding at slips in the Vizag Test
England is in deep trouble as Joe Root has injured his finger and is off the field with Dan Lawrence coming in as the substitute fielder. The second Test between India and England is going on at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam where India is cruising towards a lead of 350 runs. England was already having a difficult Test match and now they also have an injury concern with Joe Root who has injured his finger and has been taken to the scans.
Joe Root did not take on the field post-lunch and was not seen much around after bowling the first few overs at the start of the third day’s play. He has been taken to scans and further updates will be provided by England’s team management regarding the batting all-rounder’s injury and whether he is fit to take further part in the series or not.
Before the start of play on Day 3, Joe Root had sustained an injury in his right arm while practising slip catching. He was again dented with a blow in the first hour of play while fielding at slips. During fielding at slips in James Anderson’s over, a bowl took the knick of Shubman Gill’s bat and it bounced right before Root as he attempted a catch. He has since then not taken to the field in Vizag.
Just before lunch, commentator Harsha Bhogle informed that he had been taken for scans and the English all-rounder didn’t take to the field even in the post-lunch session. Ravi Shastri informed in the post-lunch session that Root has been icing his hand and there is no update as to when he will be available on the field.
Joe Root Did Not Turn Up To The Field Post-Lunch, Dan Lawrence Is The Substitute Fielder
Joe root of the field with a injured finger Dan Lawrence is the substitute fielder now 😳 #INDvENG
— Saifanofsports🏏🎤🖋️ 🌱💂🎬 (@SaiKris75286313) February 4, 2024
— Kirkit Expert (@expert42983) February 4, 2024
Joe Root is not having his best series with the bat as of now but he has made some valuable contributions with the ball. He took a fifer in the first Test against India which was his second fifer in Test cricket. The first fifer also came against India in 2021 where he was leading the England side and also scored a double century in Chennai during the first Test of the series.
Meanwhile, India is heading towards a massive lead against England in the second Test and Shubman Gill is nearing his century. Shubman Gill has faced severe criticism after his recent debacle in the red-ball format after being given the No.3 spot. This is the first time in 12 innings that Shubman Gill has gone past a fifty-plus score at No.3 in Test cricket.
India lost the first Test against England in Hyderabad by 28 runs but now is giving no chance to England to make a comeback as they are progressing towards a massive lead. The hosts have not lost a Test series at home since 2012 and they would like to maintain their unbeaten run.
