Australia’s Test bowlers will be hoping Joe Root runs out of runs before the first ball is bowled next summer in what shapes as one of the all-time great Ashes series.
Root’s epic 262 in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan last week was a reminder that the English veteran is (a) the best batter in the world and (b) at the peak of his powers.
The big four – Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Root – have laid claim to the ICC’s No.1 ranking for a decade or more now, challenged on occasion by Marnus Labuschagne.
But at a time when huge scores from his rivals have been increasingly fewer and further between, Root has raised his game to a prolific new level.
The 33-year-old overtook Alastair Cook as England’s greatest Test run-getter in Multan. Only four players – Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid – sit above him on the all-time individual scoring chart.
Tendulkar remains in top spot, more than 3000 runs clear of Root, but if anyone is to ever surpass India’s Little Master, the Yorkshireman appears in the box seat, especially given his mind-boggling stats in recent times.
In his past nine Tests, Root has churned out 1171 runs at an average of 90.07, a hot streak that has delivered a double-century (his highest score), four tons, two 80s and two 60s.
Those are the type of numbers that Smith was punching out a few years ago, when Australian fans were debating whether he was our best since Bradman.
Root’s stats raise the question of whether he is England’s best since Hutton, Hobbs and company.
His 35 Test centuries are unmatched by any Pom, and his career average of 51.47 has been trending up, as opposed to Smith (56.97), Kohli (48.89) and Labuschagne (49.56), who have slipped back to the field.
The one lingering question mark alongside Root’s name, however, is his record in Australia.
In three Ashes tours Down Under, Root has appeared in 14 Tests and has averaged 35.68 – respectable but far from dominant. He is yet to score a Test century on our turf.
Harry Brook celebrates with Joe Root during the pair’s record 451-run partnership against Pakistan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Perhaps even more worrying from an England perspective, Root has never won an Ashes Test away from home. His record in Australia is 12 defeats and two draws, which is little short of embarrassing.
Next summer’s Ashes might be his best, not to mention his last, chance to tip the ledger back his way.
The Poms will arrive in Australia not with Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed at the top of the order, but with a free-scoring, established opening pairing in Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, both of whom have the priceless ability to put pressure on the opposition from the first ball of their innings.
No.3 Ollie Pope provides a handy foil to the Bazballers, followed by the insatiable run machine Root.
At No.5, Harry Brook – fresh from a brutal 317 from 322 balls against Pakistan – is shaping up nicely as the heir to Root’s throne.
In 31 Test innings, the 25-year-old has pounded six centuries, nine half-centuries and an imposing career average of 62.50.
Next in the line-up will be skipper Ben Stokes, whose ability to intimidate the Aussies and leave them suffering from insomnia is verging on Bothamesque.
Wicket-keeper Jamie Smith is averaging 47.09 from his seven Tests, and below him Chris Woakes is no mug at No.8, boasting a Test century and a respectable average of 26.72. Although whether England bring him Down Under is a question mark given his poor record away from home.
As much as Root will be a vital wicket for the Aussies, it is unlikely to be a case of one out, all out.
Barring injuries or inexplicable form slumps, you could almost pencil in England’s top seven for the Ashes right now.
In contrast, for the first time in an eon, Australia’s batting line-up appears unsettled.
David Warner has retired from the international arena.
Steve Smith is reverting from opener to No.4.
Cameron Green is unavailable with injury for six months.
Usman Khawaja is 37 and presumably can’t have many big scores left in him.
Labuschagne has managed just one century in his past 20 Tests.
Mitch Marsh has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance but still averages only 30.45 after 42 Tests.
Travis Head is a matchwinner in all three formats, but his inconsistency was highlighted last summer when he scored 119 against the West Indies in Adelaide, followed by a pair of ducks in Brisbane.
Nonetheless, unless they implode this season against India, Australia will in all likelihood be favourites to retain the Ashes next summer. They don’t often lose at home.
But Root will no doubt have other plans for what shapes as the defining series of his illustrious career.
>Cricket News
%20(3).jpeg)
0 Comments