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"Limp wrist": Ex-AUS spinner takes brutal 'nicker' dig at Joe Root ahead of The Ashes

Soumyajit Dutta

Kerry O'Keeffe and Joe Root [Source: @Iam_Hiaan/X.com]Kerry O'Keeffe and Joe Root [Source: @Iam_Hiaan/X.com]

The mind games between England and Australia are in full swing as the mudslinging begins, with former players taking hilarious jibes at active players of the England and Australia squads ahead of the Ashes, starting November 21. 

Recently, former Australian spinner and broadcaster Kerry O'Keeffe took a verbal dig at England's talismanic batter Joe Root ahead of the series. 

Keeffe brutally critics Root

Root has been successful against India recently in Tests and has also had a fair run in the 2020s. However, Kerry seemed unconcerned about Root reaching triple figures, calling him a "nicker" in his remarks. 

"Wrists limper than a French handshake. It does not work in Australia," Keeffe said while talking to Fox Sports.

While Ricky Ponting backed the English batter, Kerry particularly focused on Root edging the ball to slips or the wicket-keeper, noting that Root has sometimes been vulnerable to extraordinary swing. Kerry O'Keefe specifically criticized Root's batting technique, saying that giving away loose balls through his wrist work would not be key. 

"The first two Tests are huge for Joe Root. They're nickers' Tests. Perth? They nick for fun there. And Brisbane day-night? Everyone nicks in Bris," Keeffe added.

He also stressed that Perth and Brisbane tests will be the benchmark for Root in the series, where he needs to prove his worth. 

"Joe Root is a nicker. When he was last here, in his first eight innings he nicked off. Australia knows this. What will be his defensive set-up? I am very bearish about Joe Root," Keeffe concluded.

Root's record Down under speaks of his worth

Root is currently the second-highest run-scorer of all time in Tests, just behind India icon Sachin Tendulkar's 15,921 runs, and will be looking to add significantly to his tally in the upcoming Ashes.

Notably, Joe Root's last appearance against Australia saw one of his best Test averages at 51.50, where he topped the scoring with a 118-run knock. The 2025 Ashes Series will be a major milestone opportunity for the England premier batter, who also holds his personal best Ashes average of 57.50 from 2015, when he scored 460 runs across five matches, including two centuries.