Heads up! Joe Root and Co show off their football skills by mastering seven-man bin challenge as England stars keep busy with weather ruining series opener against Pakistan
- England players came up with a novel idea of passing the rain delay time
- Bad weather brought a halt to day one of the Test against Pakistan in Manchester
- Out came the football and a game of headers was cause for the biggest cheer
Despite a disappointing opening day against Pakistan at Old Trafford, the England squad did manage to pull off one piece of magic.
Sadly however it came during the rain break, as several of the team decided upon a novel way to keep warm and ensure the blood continued to flow.
While Pakistan and rain may have frustrated England on day one of the first Test, Joe Root’s side were able to achieve one impressive feat at Emirates Old Trafford with the use of a football.
Using a football to pass the time, the game of headers got under way with James Anderson, Joe Root and Chris Woakes on the balcony
The ball was then knocked downwards bringing other England stars into play
A hushed tone fell over the ground as the players concentrated on keeping it airborne
During a break for poor weather, the players attempted the header bin challenge and after numerous rubbish efforts cracked it in emphatic style.
In the successful task, James Anderson, Root and Chris Woakes got the headers under way on the balcony before Mark Wood flicked on for Jos Buttler on the pitch.
England’s wicketkeeper managed to find Dom Bess and after Ollie Pope flicked on, it was left for seamer Wood to apply a deft header which landed in the bin.
It was left for seamer Mark Wood to apply a deft header which landed in the bin
The players watched on as the ball finally nestled in the end-goal and tipped into the bin
And then up went the huge celebrations, which echoed around the empty Old Trafford venue
Sky Sports captured the footage and the wild celebrations from the players and staff which included head coach Chris Silverwood.
Back in January the team were banned from playing football after Rory Burns suffered a serious ankle injury during a pre-training game on the eve of the second Test in South Africa.
Yet with no tackles required for the header bin challenge, this was given the green light and England succeeded in their task – eventually!