England's Joe Root Fails to Impress in Ashes Warm-Up

As the highly anticipated Ashes series approaches, England's preparations have hit a snag. In a warm-up match against an England Lions B side, former Test captain Joe Root, who is currently ranked number one in the ICC Test batting rankings, was dismissed for just 1 run. This will likely be Root's only chance to get some time in the middle before the first Ashes Test begins in Perth next Friday.

Adding to England's woes, Root was also asked to bowl 14 overs during the match, and he was "absolutely carted," conceding a whopping 117 runs at more than 8 runs per over. This dismal bowling performance comes as England's star paceman Mark Wood left the field due to injury.

Root's fellow England batter, Harry Brook, who is ranked number two in the ICC Test batting rankings, also struggled, getting bowled for just 2 runs after an ill-advised charge down the pitch.

These performances from England's top-ranked batters will undoubtedly raise concerns about their form and confidence heading into the crucial Ashes series against Australia, where Root is yet to score a Test century in his three previous visits.