His side finished it six wickets away from an eighth Test defeat of 2021, one that will likely leave their hopes of regaining the Ashes hanging by a thread. For Root, it was painful day both metaphorically and physically.

Root spent the beginning of the day off the field to undergo scans after copping a blow in the pre-day warm-ups. Then, in the dying embers of the fourth day, he was on the receiving end of another painful blow, this time while at the crease.

Mitchell Starc’s 142kph delivery struck Root on the box, flooring the England captain for nearly five minutes before play eventually resumed. Even after he got back to his feet, Root was in evident discomfort, hobbling between the wickets in the short space of time between the blow and his eventual dismissal off what became the last ball of the day.

Once it was evident that Root was not seriously injured, players and pundits alike revelled in the moment. Players from both sides were seen exchanging smiles while the blow sparked laughter in various commentary boxes.

In the 7Cricket box, it was a video of Root attempting to run between the wickets following the blow that prompted maximum amusement. The on-air combination of James Brayshaw, Ricky Ponting and Greg Blewett couldn’t contain their laughter, while Simon Katich, not commentating, could be heard in the background. Towards the end of a clip posted by 7Cricket, Brayshaw says: “I’ve never heard anyone laugh harder than Simon Katich at the minute.”

You can watch their reaction to Root’s running between the wickets below:

Absolute scenes in the commentary box, completely losing it watching Joe Root run 😂 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/0CoJCSPTKD

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 19, 2021