Watch: Joe Root pulls off sensational diving catch at first slip to dismiss Mitchell Marsh in AUS vs ENG 2nd ODI

Joe Root pulled off a sensational diving catch at first slip to dismiss Mitchell Marsh in the AUS vs ENG 2nd ODI at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, November 15. The England batter dived to his left at first slip and took a brilliant catch off Sonny Baker's bowling to give his team an early breakthrough. The Joe Root diving catch of Mitchell Marsh dismissal quickly became one of the biggest talking points of the match.

Mitchell Marsh tried to attack Baker's delivery but got a thick outside edge that flew towards the slip cordon. Root reacted quickly and caught the ball with both hands while diving to his left. It was also Baker's first wicket of the innings, giving England an important start while defending a big total.

The catch came after England posted 355/6 in their 50 overs, their highest-ever ODI total on Australian soil. Tom Banton scored a brilliant century, while Root, Jordan Cox and Will Jacks also made important contributions. With 356 runs to chase, Australia needed a strong start but lost early wickets against England's bowling attack.

Joe Root’s diving catch at first slip: How Sonny Baker got Mitchell Marsh early

Sonny Baker gave England an important breakthrough in the fourth over after Mitchell Marsh tried to play an attacking shot outside off stump. The Australian captain went after a short-of-a-length delivery but managed only a thick outside edge. Root, standing at first slip, dived to his left and completed a brilliant two-handed catch to send Marsh back to the pavilion.

The dismissal also gave Baker his first wicket of the innings, and the young pacer was clearly delighted with the breakthrough. Former England captain Michael Vaughan praised Baker's bowling and compared his style to former England pacer Darren Gough during Test Match Special commentary. He also pointed out that Baker could move the ball in both directions and brought good energy to the attack.

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"It bounces on Mitchell Marsh who was looking to launch it over the scoreboard. England aren't putting a foot wrong. Sonny Baker reminds me of a young Darren Gough - he bustles it, can move it both ways and has a real energy. Gough lit up Australia on a couple of tours in the 90s. Australia are panicking," Vaughan said. His comments came as England continued to put pressure on Australia after the early wickets. Root's first slip catch gave the visitors another reason to celebrate.

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England’s 1st innings: Banton’s 121 and a record 355/6 at Adelaide Oval

Earlier, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Adelaide Oval. England made the most of the batting conditions and scored 355/6 in their 50 overs, recording their highest-ever ODI total on Australian soil. Tom Banton led the batting effort with a brilliant 121, while Joe Root supported him with a half-century.

Root and Banton added 137 runs for the second wicket to put England in a strong position. Root scored 62 off 68 balls before getting out while attempting to play a shot towards the leg side, while Banton continued his attacking batting. The England wicketkeeper-batter reached his second ODI century in just 86 balls before departing for 121 off 99 deliveries.

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Jordan Cox and Will Jacks then helped England finish with a big total through a 102-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Cox scored 67 off 49 balls, while Jacks remained unbeaten on 54 off 40 deliveries. Xavier Bartlett was Australia's best bowler with figures of 3/72, but England finished with 355/6 at Adelaide Oval to set Australia a target of 356 in the AUS vs ENG 2nd ODI.

Brief Scores: England 355/6 (Tom Banton 121, Jordan Cox 67, Joe Root 62) vs Australia 120/4 (Matt Renshaw 58, Cameron Green 40, Gus Atkinson 3 wickets) – 2nd ODI