Joe Root has had a contrasting Ashes series as a captain and not so good one with the bat. The England captain had kicked off the series with a fine 71 but then registered a golden duck in the next innings as Australia registered a mammoth 251-run win. In the following Test match at Lord's, he scored 14 which was followed by yet another golden duck. In the third Test match, Joe Root was dismissed for a second-ball duck and then scored an important 77 as the hosts registered a one-wicket win to level the series. In the fourth Test after Australia had declared their innings at 497/8, Joe Root steadied one end after England were reduced to 25/2. Root played an anchor's role that stabilised the England innings. He scored a 168-ball 71.  However, there was one incident which happened during Joe Root's brilliant knock and it involved Mitchell Starc.

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Joe Root floored by Mitchell Starc's fiery pace

You have heard that right. Joe Root, who was batting so well at one end was suddenly brought down to his knees by a lethal delivery from Mitchell Starc. It happened on Day 3 of the fourth Ashes Test at the Old Trafford in Manchester. During the second session, Mitchell Starc bowled a 140 kmph delivery which ended up breaking the English skipper's protective gear. Joe Root was in pain for some time but recovered and asked for new protective gear. A fan had posted the picture of Joe Root's damaged protective gear on Twitter. Take a look.

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Australia put England on the backfoot

Steve Smith scored a superb 92-ball 82 as Australia declared their innings at 186/6. England were set a target of 383 runs to register a famous win at the Old Trafford in Manchester. Unfortunately, the hosts were put on the back foot early on when Pat Cummins removed opener Rory Burns and skipper Joe Root off consecutive deliveries as the English side were reduced to 0/2 in the very first over. Jason Roy then avoided a hat-trick chance as he and Joe Denly helped England finish on 18/2 at stumps. At the time of publishing this story, England were 87/4 with Joe Denly and Jonny Bairstow out in the middle.

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