Joe Root pulls off STUNNING one-handed take to dismiss Travis Head in the Ashes

Joe Root pulled off a sensational one-handed catch to dismiss Australia‘s Travis Head and help England fight back in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

The hosts rallied in pulsating fashion after taking three wickets before lunch on day four, keeping alive their slim hopes of turning the contest – and the series – around.

Stuart Broad had struck twice and Josh Tongue crucially dismissed Steve Smith to reduce Australia to 222-5 at the break, while Root also produced heroics of his own. 

With England eyeing Australia’s tail, Broad’s well-directed delivery was fended away by Head. The ball lobbed to the left of short leg, where Root made a superb catch.

Pouncing to his right, Root plunged toward the ground and grasped hold of the ball. He then held it aloft before celebrating with a number of his grateful team-mates.

Joe Root pulled off a superb one-handed catch to dismiss Australia’s Travis Head in the Ashes

Root dived to his left to make a stunning take at short leg before celebrating with team-mates

Broad’s short-ball barrage had paid dividends with Head made to walk after scoring just seven runs from 16 balls, a significant blow to the tourists’ innings. 

In the process, talisman Root also became England’s highest outfield catcher of all time, setting the record with an impressive 176 and surpassing Sir Alastair Cook. 

Below them is Andrew Strauss, who recorded 121 catches of his own during his time on international duty. Ian Botham and Colin Cowdrey registered 120, meanwhile.

Australia’s lead stood at 313 runs ahead of play restarting. 

After initially refusing to indulge in the same rash shots that sparked England’s collapse in their first innings, Australia began to wobble.

After making the catch, he also became his country’s highest outfield catcher of all time

Stuart Broad and his short-ball barrage proved to be the catalysts to the comeback on day four

Broad proved the catalyst, having removed Usman Khawaja in the day’s first over. 

After mustering up 77 runs from 188 balls, Khawaja looked to pull Broad’s delivery but instead could only top-edge to Matthew Potts at deep fine leg.

In the next over, James Anderson then dropped Head at gully off Tongue’s bowling.

Just one ball later, though, Smith picked out Zak Crawley at deep backward square.

Cameron Green and Alex Carey steadied Australia with several boundaries to take Australia into lunch with no further damage.