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Joe-Root
England Test skipper Joe Root was hit on his right hand during a net session ahead of the first Test against New Zealand. Root was taking throwdowns from head coach Chris Silverwood on Monday. Chris Silverwood was using the 'dog-thrower' training device to help Joe Root in the practice session. The 30-year-old had to immediately leave the training session for treatment after being struck by the ball. Root was later seen working inside with assistant coach Paul Collingwood before returning to the outdoor practice.
According to the Daily Mail, Joe Root's hand was bruised, and he is likely to miss outdoor nets on Tuesday as a precautionary measure. However, it still remains to be seen if Joe Root faces Kane Williamson's men at Lord's from Wednesday, June 2.
Joe Root amassed 794 runs in 12 innings in 2021
The 30-year-old has been in great form since the start of 2021. He has amassed 794 runs in 12 innings in 2021 at an average of 66.16. Root slammed two double centuries and a century in the starting two months of the year. His 228 runs in the first innings of the Chennai Test against India helped the visitors win the match by a 227-run margin. However, after the first game, the English skipper did not manage to cross the 50-run mark even once in the next 7 innings of the 4-match series. As a result, England lost the series against India by 1-3. The 30-year-old is currently the third-leading Test run-scorer for England. Root has scored 8507 runs in 100 Tests and is just behind Graham Gooch and Sir Alastair, who is leading the table with 12472 in 161 matches.
A lot is going to depend on Root and his batting, considering some important players like Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, and Ben Stokes are going to miss the first match. In case Joe Root misses the first match due to the injury, England has Haseeb Hameed and Sam Billings in reserve. Sam Billings has replaced Ben Foakes as the wicket-keeper batsman is injured. Ben Foakes had slipped in the dressing room after their County Championship match against Middlesex on Sunday. New Zealand will play against India in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) after the conclusion of the England series.