THE ASHES ROOT DIGS THE GREAT Battling skipper still believes in miracle

ENGLAND

JOE ROOT was drenched in sweat and exhausted by the emotion of trying to save The Ashes.

He could barely raise his bat to acknowledge the admiration of the crowd as he walked off the grass of Headingley last night.

The England captain was also 75 not out. He is still there – and he has given his team and the country the hope of a victory to keep The Ashes alive.

It seemed a mission impossible kind of miracle when they started their chase of 359 runs in the fourth innings.

It will remain a minor miracle this morning when England resume on 156-3, still needing another 203 runs to deliver the win that would make it 1-1 in the series and all to play for.

High-class

More likely is Australia’s pack of magnificent high- class bowlers will win the match for them and ensure they retain the Urn. But England have hope.

And that is down to Root, who led by example as good captains do on proper days of Test cricket such as these.

It was a crackling contest between bat and ball, each delivery a moment of high intensity, each over survived by England fuelling one more tiny ray of hope.

It was a day also to cherish the spirit of sport, both in the granite resilience of Root and veteran Joe Denly, and in the jaunty mood of the Headingley crowd.

Friday’s surrender by the England side had been so humiliating, so disastrous and so bleak that the only response was a hungry fightback laced with endless jollity.

On the field that meant pressure as a captain looking certain to fail in a home Ashes series.

His character shone like a diamond as well.

He played with authority and soft hands, guiding boundaries through third man and standing tall against the excellence of the Australian bowling.

After tea he was a little more expansive as the pacemen appeared to tire.

With the score on 137-2 Root charged at spinner Nathan Lyon. He missed the ball but keeper Tim Paine fluffed the stumping chance.

Mood