On the second day of play at Lord’s, Joe Root expressed surprise with a “Woaaa-ho!” as he faced a delivery from Pakistan’s Mohammad Ali that initially angled in before veering away late. The ball zipped past Root’s gloves and struck Mohammed Rizwan’s gloves at head height, with Rizwan positioned further back from the stumps, creating a tense atmosphere typical of summer 2026 cricket.
Root, with a cheeky grin, acknowledged the cleverness of the delivery but his mood shifted after Ali’s next ball. This time, Ali delivered a fuller length that didn’t bounce high but instead darted back low and struck Root on the pad. Although he reviewed the decision with a resigned shrug, he was aware of the outcome—this marked his second lbw dismissal in the Test, bringing his total to seven for the summer and nine in his last twelve innings.
After more than 15 years and over 14,000 runs, one has to wonder if Joe Root is indeed grappling with an lbw issue. Is this a manifestation of the challenges faced by players like Davey Warner? Will the combination of wobble seam and keepers positioned deeper fundamentally alter Test cricket? Are we witnessing a crisis?
Root’s reflections after the match provided insight into his mindset. With a twinkle in his eye, he stated, “Having played this game for a long time, I’ve always found ways to address challenges, and I view this situation no differently.”
His responses carried a tone reminiscent of past experiences. Root has encountered similar hurdles, from technical adjustments during his early growth spurts to addressing his prior struggles in Australia. Whether batting while captaining or without the title, Root consistently finds a path forward.
Mastering batting involves navigating a series of complex challenges, akin to ascending an intricate staircase or cracking a tough safe. The journey is ongoing, devoid of a final destination. Root enjoys the process, viewing the obstacles as opportunities for reflection and improvement. Adjusting one aspect of his technique often reveals new flaws elsewhere, adding to the perpetual complexity of the sport.
Root confessed to feeling “frustrated” by the rise in lbw dismissals and is acutely aware that a few more similar dismissals at Edgbaston would amplify scrutiny regarding his technique. He recognizes the conditions: the pitches are conducive to seam movement, and the keepers are strategically positioned. This summer, lbw dismissals in Tests have surged to 23%, a significant increase from the typical 13% experienced from 2021 to 2025. As Root noted, several of his dismissals could have gone either way with DRS, but ultimately, the bowlers and statistics remain indifferent.
One silver lining for Root is that he has not been consistently dismissed by a single bowler. Graham Gooch humorously recounted his own struggles against Australia’s Terry Alderman during the English summer of 1989, noting that he went through three sets of pads due to Alderman’s bowling.
Gooch, during that challenging period, found himself in a seemingly unending cycle of being dismissed lbw, with a famous piece of graffiti humorously adding “Thatcher Out!” alongside “lbw bowled Alderman.” The current landscape of cricket could use similar wit.
When contacted about his experiences from that Ashes series, Gooch’s initial voicemail reflected his struggles at the time: “I’m afraid our team’s all out, please leave a message …” This leads to a playful question about whether he changed his voicemail to include a nod to Alderman, which Gooch dismissed, explaining he was focused on improving his technique instead. He believes Root’s situation is distinct, affirming, “He’ll find a way, that’s why he’s world class.” Top players often face lbw or nick off dismissals, not being bowled or caught out, which is why Root’s current challenge is merely an irritant in his otherwise illustrious career.
Gooch sought guidance from his former opening partner Geoffrey Boycott to refine his batting technique. He recalled realizing he was playing across the line too frequently and corrected his stance by adjusting his guard and minimizing lateral movement. This adjustment yielded immediate improvements, emphasizing the importance of stability while batting.
With a chuckle, Gooch quoted Ted Dexter’s advice: “bat like you are stood in a bath (forward and back, not sideways), not a pisspot (no feet movement at all).” He sees no such flaws in Root’s approach and reiterates that each player’s journey is unique. The cricketer with the most career runs in history emphasized that facing challenges is part of the game, and overcoming them is what defines a player’s excellence. “You encounter endless problems; it’s all about how you respond to them. Solving one issue does not guarantee peace, as new challenges will always arise.”
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