Ashes: England captain Joe Root scores fifty after hospital treatment

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Joe RootImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

Joe Root struck only one four in his 136-ball fifty

England captain Joe Root made a half-century in the final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney despite being treated in hospital before play.

The 27-year-old suffered from severe dehydration, diarrhoea and vomiting overnight because of a viral gastroenteritis bug.

Root, 42 not out overnight, did not resume his innings at the start of play, but came in after Moeen Ali fell.

Temperatures reached 47.3C on Sunday, the hottest day in Sydney for 79 years.

However, England said Root's condition was "nothing to do with heat exhaustion from yesterday temperatures".

Root arrived at the Sydney Cricket Ground as play began on Monday, with England 93-4 and needing a further 210 to avoid an innings defeat and a 4-0 series loss.

After Moeen was lbw to Nathan Lyon for 13 to leave England 121-5, Root was given a standing ovation by the SCG members as he walked out to bat.

He fielded for three hours and batted for three hours on Sunday, the hottest day on record for a Test in Australia.

Root spent much of Friday and Saturday in the field as Australia amassed 649-7, having top-scored in England's first innings with 83.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Root arrives at the SCG after being treated in hospital

On Sunday, Root was also struck on the right index finger attempting to pull a short ball from Mitchell Starc on day four, although assistant coach Paul Farbrace said it was only "sore".

Root is on his first tour as captain and has had to deal with a number of off-field issues.

All-rounder Ben Stokes is absent after being arrested for his part in an altercation outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was accused of 'headbutting' Australia opener Cameron Bancroft and Lions batsman Ben Duckett poured a drink over bowler James Anderson.

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