Joe Root’s bizarre hoodoo on Australian shores has continued.
His efforts to rescue England’s unsteady start to the Boxing Day Test came to an end after 81 balls.
Batting under pressure, Root surpassed 50 for the third time this Ashes series, but came unstuck in the following over when Mitchell Starc found his outside edge.
LIVE UPDATES: Root reaches dismal record with wicket
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The dismissal marks nine Test 50s on Australian soil for Root, the most by anyone yet to go on and score triple figures.
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Arguably one of England’s greatest batsmen, the record points out a weakness in Root’s technique, with many commentators initially pointing to the angle of his eye sight.
Root was extremely animated as he walked off the field, the wait for his elusive century in Australia continuing.
“He would be so disappointed in this shot, Joe Root,” Michael Hussey said on Fox Cricket.
“It’s a nothing shot. It’s not a cut, it’s not a drive. It’s just trying to deflect… it’s a high-risk shot.”
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