LIVE: Terrific Marnus catch stalls England

The missed scoop did not deter Joe Root one bit! He does the same thing off Scott Boland and hits two consecutive boundaries, first a six then a four.

“It’s audacious but it’s spectacular,” Pietersen says on commentary.

“I think it feels natural to him, he obviously plays it brilliantly. He plays it to the field, so wherever the field isn’t, that’s where he hits the ball.

“He has the backing of the dressing room. If there’s anyone in world cricket that can try and reverse ramp the first rock, it’s Joe Root.”

Root’s already gotten in the head of the Aussies with this start, he’s manipulating the field to perfection.

“He’s owning this cricket field right now,” Pietersen adds.

“What it’s done is it’s changed Australia’s field. The great players they see gaps, they don’t look at the fielders, and he’s created gaps now.

“There’s a fly slip, ordinarily there wouldn’t be a fly slip.

“I think Joe Root’s job is done here now, the intent from England is very clear.”