Former players want Joe Root to bat at No. 3 in the Ashes
Root is reluctant to bat at No. 3 but might have to bow down to the need of the hour.
England might have won two home series on the bounce but they have problems aplenty ahead of The Ashes in November. Their brittle middle order has been exposed time and again, especially against quality bowling. They have given youngsters a go but so far, they haven’t grabbed onto their chances.
Skipper Joe Root has been in good form, scoring 729 runs from 7 Tests at 60.75 this summer. After having a good extended run at No. 3 most of the last year, Root has slipped into the No. 4 spot ever since he took over the captaincy at the start of the summer. They tried Gary Ballance at one drop but the left-hander couldn’t get big scores in two tests before getting sidelined with an injury. Tom Westley largely struggled after replacing Ballance and has an average of 24.12 after 9 innings at the crucial batting slot. In the same period, England selectors gave Dawid Malan an extended run but the left-hander could amass just 189 runs from 8 innings at 23.62. No. 3 and 5 are the biggest concern for England going into the Ashes.
Hussain, Atherton advice Root to bat at No. 3
Former captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain see no point in Root batting at No. 4. “The issue is, he doesn’t want to,” said Atherton on Sky Sports. “It’s a problem. I agree, I think Root should bat three, but he doesn’t want to, and that’s an issue.” Hussain was skeptical about Mark Stoneman, who scored just 120 runs from 5 innings, and said Root will be better off getting out there at No. 3. “Your side is built on a solid top three but Root is always coming in reacting to a crisis,” said Hussain. “Wouldn’t it be better if Root goes in before a crisis happens?”
Warne wants Root at 4 for Australia’s good
Spin legend Shane Warne echoed on Atherton’s views and said as an Australian, he would love to see Root continuing to bat at No. 4. He harked back to his skipper Ricky Ponting’s example. He pointed out how Ponting put the pressure back on the opposition by playing attacking at No. 3. “When I saw him bat at three – and he was one of the greatest players that I played with in my time – he was so proactive,” Warne said. “You’d lose an early wicket, and suddenly the bowler’s on the back foot 20 minutes later, they’re defensive, a slip moves out to cover, and you can get momentum back in your favor.”
The first Test will kick off from November 23 at the Gabba in Brisbane. England won the last series but it will be tough for them to retain The Ashes as it will be held in Australia.
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