(Video) Joe Root plays a captain’s knock to keep England afloat

Joe Root held England’s innings together as wickets fell around him on the opening day of the first Test at Trent Bridge. The skipper’s strokeplay oozed class, with neat drives scorching the turf and whips toying with the men on the leg-side.

Thanks to Root’s commanding fifty, England headed into Tea at 138/4, having lost the wickets of Rory Burns, Zac Crawley, Dom Sibley and Jonny Bairstow in chronological order. Meanwhile, the sheet anchor also usurped Sir Alistair Cook as England’s highest run-getter.

An important 5️⃣0️⃣ for the skipper @root66 on the first day of the series 🙌

He looks in good touch 👌https://t.co/5eQO5BWXUp pic.twitter.com/uQXsiCo0HR

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 4, 2021