English pace bowler, James Anderson played down the concerns regarding Joe Root’s injury which he picked up on Day 3 of the second Test against India. The batter had picked up the injury to his little finger on his right hand which forced him off the field.
Root had attempted to take a catch from the slip region where Gill had edged it during the 18th over in the second innings of the game. The English spinner, Tom Hartley had bowled a length delivery which Gill looked to defend but playing with hard hands meant that the edge would carry towards the slip cordon. Despite getting the finger on the ball he was unable to complete the catch as the ball rolled on for a boundary.
READ MORE: IND vs ENG, 2nd Test: Joe Root Leaves Field After Sustaining an Injury on Right Finger
The England management had also provided an update regarding the injury status of Joe Root. “Joe Root sustained an external blow to his right little finger, attempting a slip catch in the first session of D3. The England medical team will keep him off the field for the time being to treat and ice.”
When asked why Root was not able to return to the field, Anderson had mentioned that the team management did not want to risk another blow. “Yeah, he’s just been looking after it basically. He took a knock on it this morning in practice I think. He then took one in the field as well,” Anderson said during the post-day press conference.
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Anderson however believes that there isn’t too much to be concerned about and they just need to make sure he can bat for the final innings. He commented, “I don’t think there’s concern. Just making sure it’s as good as possible for tomorrow. There’s a chance we will need him with the bat. So it’s making sure he can hold a bat.”
Anderson also added, “It’s making sure he’s as good as he can be. There’s no point risking it for an external blow, no point risking it further out in the middle, so it’s making sure that he’s good enough to bat.”
England have their task laid out for them as they are required to chase down 399 runs within two days to secure their second win in the series. However, Root is yet to make a significant contribution in the series so far but he has been able to contribute with the ball having taken a four-wicket haul in the first innings of the previous Test in Hyderabad.
Despite the loss of a wicket at stumps on Day 3, England is still in the game with 67 runs on the board with the loss of one wicket. They now require 332 more runs which can be done to extend their lead in the series.
(with PTI inputs)
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