When Andrew McDonald announced Pat Cummins wouldn’t be involved in The Ashes again this series, part of Joe Root must have breathed a sigh of relief.

On day four of the third Test, Cummins proved once again he has the star batter’s measure, kissing the edge of his bat to dismiss him for the 13th time.

Root’s reaction said it all.

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The man with 40 Test hundreds punched his bat and screamed in fury.

Joe Root reacts.  Fox Cricket

There are probably three reasons for that: the game situation, Cummins’ record, and the fact that he played at a delivery well outside the off stump.

Adelaide made it Root’s 37th match against Australia, but it wasn’t until the 15th match that Cummins first played against him.

That game started a trend.

Root hasn’t been able to get past with Cummins, time and again, sending him packing.

1. Brisbane first innings (2017/18 Ashes)

It was here that Cummins claimed Root for the first time.

Root made 15 off 49 balls with his side 3-163 before Cummins bowled a brilliant inswinger with a 70 over ball. The appeal for lbw went up, but it was given not out before Steve Smith reviewed.

All three red lights went up, and Root was gone.

Joe Root dismissed by Pat Cummins for the first time.  Nine

2. Adelaide first innings (2017/18 Ashes)

Two Tests in a row where Cummins dismissed Root.

On 9, Root couldn’t help himself when he received a full delivery from Cummins and tried to drive it for a boundary.

However, he edged, and Cameron Bancroft took the catch at third slip.

3. Perth first innings (2017/18 Ashes)

Another solid start for England here at 2-115 before Root was strangled down the legside.

The ball should’ve just been glanced down to fine leg, but it caught the glove of Root, and he was gone for 20 off 23 balls.

“That is a dismal moment for Joe Root,” Mark Nicholas said on Nine’s coverage.

Pat Cummins celebrates the wicket of Joe Root.  Getty

4. Melbourne first innings (2017-18 Ashes)

It was in this Test that Alastair Cook scored a double century. Root was there at the other end when Cook passed his century on day two.

Root moved past 50 on day three, but when he was on 61, he hit a short ball right down the throat of Nathan Lyon at square leg.

Nathan Lyon takes a catch to dismiss Joe Root in 2017.  Getty

5. Lord’s second innings (2019 Ashes)

A very typical Pat Cummins dismissal, this one.

Root faced his first ball at 1-9 and pushed outside off stump away from his body. The ball hit the edge, and Tim Paine took the catch.

A triumphant celebration from Australia followed.

6. Manchester second innings (2019 Ashes)

Another golden duck here for Root.

This one is a wicket that’s gone down in folklore, simply because it was the perfect fast bowler’s delivery.

Cummins pitched it on a good length and hit the top of off stump, and there wasn’t much Root could do about it.

7. The Oval first innings (2019 Ashes)

Root bowled by Cummins again.

This time he was on 57, and England was 3-170.

The delivery was fuller on this occasion, and Root’s feet went nowhere.

“He can’t believe it, Joe Root,” David Lloyd said on commentary.

8. Hobart first innings (2021/22 Ashes)

It took three years for Cummins to remove Root again, this time during a pink ball Test.

This one was quite similar to the dismissal at The Oval. Root was trapped on the crease, but it hit his pads on this occasion.

Root rightly didn’t review and left for 34.

Joe Root is trapped lbw in Hobart. Fox Criicket

9. Lord’s second innings (2023 Ashes)

Root copped a brute of a short ball here. He was on 18, and Cummins made him play with his pace.

The England star edged to first slip, and David Warner took the catch at first slip to have England three wickets down.

10. Leeds first innings (2023 Ashes)

Once again, it was bowled Cummins and caught Warner.

Cummins was on fire here, having taken two wickets beforehand. His third came in a very similar circumstance to Lord’s, but it wasn’t as short.

Pat Cummins celebrates at Leeds.  Getty

11. Leeds second innings (2023 Ashes)

Root must have been having nightmares at this stage.

Those nightmares would’ve turned to terror when he had a soft dismissal to Cummins.

The fast bowler’s delivery was short and should’ve been glanced for a boundary. Instead, it caught the glove of Root, and Alex Carey took the catch.

That made it three in a row for Cummins against Root.

12. Adelaide Oval first innings (2025/26 Ashes)

In his return from injury, Cummins came back to torment Root.

It was once again a textbook Cummins delivery. Full and just outside off stump, Root played at a delivery he probably didn’t need to, and Alex Carey did the rest.

Joe Root leaves after his first innings wicket.  Getty

13. Adelaide Oval second innings (2025/26 Ashes)

The last time Cummins would get Root in this series.

It was almost a mirror image of the first innings, with Root playing at a delivery outside off stump that he didn’t need to.

He was gone for 39, and Cummins was fired up. Root was too, punching his bat in fury.

Joe Root dismissed in the second innings.  Getty