Joe Root told Stuart Broad he ‘fancied a reverse scoop for six first ball’ before remarkable shot

Stuart Broad has revealed Joe Root told him in the changing room before play got underway that he was planning to reverse scoop the first ball of the day.

Monday saw another pulsating day of Ashes cricket with the first Test between England and Australia all set for a blockbuster finish.

The drama was perhaps best encapsulated when Root attempted the audacious shot off Pat Cummins‘s opening ball.

He eventually fell for an enterprising 46 as England mustered 273 all out, setting the Aussies 281 to win.

In response, Usman Khawaja and David Warner got off to a fine start as they put on 61 for the first wicket before Ollie Robinson dismissed Warner for a well-made 35.

Stuart Broad revealed Joe Root had told him ahead of day four in the dressing room about his plans to play a reverse scoop off the first ball of the day

Root failed to connect with Pat Cummins’s delivery in what was a remarkable start to day four

Broad then delivered a fine spell as he got rid of danger men Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to leave Australia 107-3, requiring another 174 runs to win on the final day, while England need seven wickets.

And speaking following the close of play, Broad explained how a gut feeling from Root led to him surprising everyone watching on as Ben Stokes’s side continue to push the boundaries and reinvent Test cricket.

‘We were pretty happy with our batting today,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘I think the intent from ball one was pretty clear.

‘I sit next to Rooty in the changing room actually and he went to me “I fancy a reverse scoop for six first ball” so i said to him “if it’s in your gut you’ve got to go for it, that’s what we’re all about”.

‘And he went “ah I’ll decide when I’m walking out” so obviously he didn’t change his mind.’

Despite not connecting with Cummins’s delivery, Root tried again the following over off Scott Boland’s bowling.

The 32-year-old had more success second time around, hitting the Australian seamer for a six then a four in successive balls.

Broad explained how Root showing such aggressive intent has a positive impact on the team

Root tried the shot again in the next over and hit Scott Boland for a six and a then a four

And Broad revealed how having such a quality batter leading from the front in terms of displaying England’s enterprising style has a hugely positive impact on the team.

He continued: ‘But that sort of intent just made us all smile in the changing room. It’s such a powerful thing for our changing room to know that one of our best batters is playing that fearless style.

‘And what Baz says to us is he’d sort of prefer us to get caught at long on than out defending.

‘For our leading batter to show that intent is powerful. And the third over of the day you’ve got third man back out of slip and you’re sort of on front foot straight away.’