Picture Credit: Twitter
It has been far from an ideal start to the Ashes series for England. While the visitors lost the opening Test of the five-match marathon at Brisbane by a big margin of 9 wickets, they also find themselves in a huge spot of bother in the ongoing second Test match at Adelaide.
After opting to bat first, the home side posted 473/9 before deciding to declare the innings. The Kangaroos later bundled out the Three Lions for just 236 runs, taking a huge and what could be a decisive 237-run lead in the first innings.
Not only do they have the result to worry about, it should be noted that England were docked eight World Test Championship points (WTC) and 100 % of their match fees for slow over-rate during the Ashes opener and now with five Fast bowlers in their XI in the Pink-ball Test, they are also keeping an eye on the over rate.
To make sure that overs are bowled in time, skipper Joe Root was seen chipping in with a few overs and later even Ollie Robinson was bowling spin in the Test match. Robinson, who is known for his right arm fast bowling, bowled off-spinners on Day 4 of the Test match and despite not being too effective, the strategy was perhaps to remain at par with the required over rate.
The video of Robinson bowling off-spin has surfaced on the internet:
Meanwhile, England were handed another blow prior to the start of the Day 4 action after their regular captain Root was struck in the lower body with a ball during the warm-up. As a result, he was initially ruled out of the entire Day 4 and had to be taken to a hospital for scans. Root's unavailability could have further been the reason behind Robinson being forced to bowl spin but the 30-year-old nonetheless was later deemed fit to resume playing.
"Joe Root having a scan on his unmentionables this afternoon, having been hit by a throwdown when not wearing box," Evening Standard reporter Will Macpherson wrote.
"All sorts of ramifications. First and foremost, for their over-rate - currently -1 - having lost their only spinner," he added.
"Could see a bit of Stokes’ offspin..," he had predicted.
Ben Stokes led England in the absence of Root.