Cameo By Root Had Hint Of WWE

Adam Collins and Vithushan Ehantharajah share a promising stand in Geoff Lemon’s absence

Adam Collins: He’s fine. This is the answer I’ve given many times when asked about Geoff’s health. Given that he was writing his Sydney Test Match dispatches from a hospital bed, it is understandable that people are worried about his welfare. But I can assure you, he’ll be fit and firing by the time we go to print next week. For today, though, I have myself a substitute who has just arrived in the country for one-dayers. Vish, welcome to Australia. Welcome to the Final Word.

Vithushan Ehantharajah: Great to be here, Adam. Thanks for having me. I checked in on Geoff when I heard he was poorly and was buoyed to receive a hospital bed selfie from the great man. On that note, did you know he was in the same hospital that Joe Root visited on the morning of day five? Talk about commitment to the cause.

AC: It is no exaggeration to say that he checked in minutes after Joey was discharged. On the England skipper, it doesn’t get much more baller than coming straight to the ground from the hospital, wristband still on, into his mums and dads and out to the middle in a Test Match against Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins. Yeah, it didn’t change anything and he had to retire ill again after lunch. But what a guy.

VE: Proper throwback to the WWE days of yore: perfectly choreographed entrance starting with a shot of Root getting out of his car, then marching towards the SCG pavilion, flanked by an ECB entourage during his ring walk. Yes, it impressed me too that he came out to bat and tried to do his bit. And a huge shame he had to call it quits at lunch. Another unconverted fifty.