Joe Root Injured in Warm-up During Perth Ashes Test; Panic in England Camp

Injury Concerns at the Start of Ashes 2025-26 Series

The cricket world was on edge as Joe Root, former England captain and one of their most crucial batsmen, faced a potential injury scare during the warm-up session for the first Test match against Australia in Perth. The incident occurred just hours before the start of Day 2 of the Ashes series, raising concerns among both players and spectators.

Root’s Injury

During the pre-match warm-up on Saturday, November 22, 2025, Root appeared to sustain an injury while playing football. He went down clutching his left ankle, causing immediate worry for the England camp. The right-handed batter was only at the crease for a brief 10 minutes in the first innings before being dismissed by Marnus Labuschagne off Mitchell Starc’s bowling.

England’s Initial Response

The England team initially held their breath, with immediate updates from the coaching staff indicating that Root had managed to get over the initial pain. Captain Ben Stokes provided a statement: “This is what happened. We all held our breath slightly. But luckily, he seems to get off, he seems to shake it off and he seems to be alright.”

Impact on England’s Performance

The potential injury to Root came at a critical time, just before the start of Day 2, when England was struggling with their batting. The team managed only 172 runs in their first innings, with Joe Root being one of their early casualties. However, Root’s quick return to the field later in the day suggested that the initial concerns were somewhat unfounded.

Root’s Ashes Record

The injury added another unwanted entry to Joe Root’s Ashes record. It was his sixth duck against Australia and his third on Australian soil. Notably, he also began his 2021-22 campaign with a zero at the Gabba after nine balls when Josh Hazlewood dismissed him. Before this series, many had expected Root to improve his record in Australia.

Australia’s Strong Performance

Despite Root’s early exit, Australia managed to bowl out England for just 172 runs. Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was the standout performer with figures of 7 for 58 in 12.5 overs. Ben Stokes chose to bat after winning the toss and quickly found himself under pressure as England lost nine wickets before closing day on 123 for 9.

The home team wrapped up Australia’s innings early on the second morning, with Nathan Lyon and Brendan Doggett at the crease.

England returned to bat and reached 59 for 1 by lunch. Joe Root was not needed during the first session as England lost just one wicket.