Watch: Joe Root strikes twice to pick up Travis Head and Cameron Green in the 2nd Ashes Test

England’s Joe Root picked up two wickets with his off-spin at a crucial stage of the game on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at Lords.
The 32-year-old initially broke the ominous partnership between Travis Head and Steve Smith as he lulled Head with a flighted delivery which the left-hander tried to deal with coming down the track and was stumped Jonny Bairstow as the ball spun sharply.
Cameron Green who followed next tried to be aggressive against the off-spinner and tried to hit him over the top in the same over.
However, the Aussie all-rounder could not find the middle of the bat and got caught at mid-on James Anderson.

Joe Root strikes twice in an over and Australia are 5️⃣ down! #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/wmn9hC5K6c
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2023
Despite Root’s double-wicket over Day-1 belonged to Australia as Steve Smith scored an unbeaten 85 to guide Australia to 339-5 as England wasted favourable bowling conditions.
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss under grey skies and floodlights at the home of cricket, sending Australia into bat with high hopes of taking early wickets in his team’s bid to level the series.
But David Warner and Usman Khawaja rode their luck to share a gritty opening partnership of 73 and although Josh Tongue removed them both, Marnus Labuschagne made 47 and Travis Head a rapid 77 to put Australia in a commanding position.

“Obviously, an amazing day for us, could’ve been three down and made it an unbelievable day,” Labuschagne told Sky Sports.“But still, you’re going to take that when you get sent in on a wicket that we thought had a fair bit in it.”