![]() Steve Smith will again be Root’s opposite number – his superior by way of Test average, 59.8 to 50.24 – and it’s fair to say the pair have had different buildups. The right-hander was not exactly light on runs at the end of his captaincy but has compiled 1,115 at 62 under Stokes, with the biggest shift being a strike-rate that has jumped from 54 as captain to 75 since. ![]() Just go and play as you’ve been playing for the last 12 months.”īen Stokes will hope Root does the same in what will be a first Ashes back in the ranks since centuries in Cardiff and Nottingham set up a 3-1 victory in 2015 and after which he was named player of the series. “As soon as the bowler lets go of it, it’s you against the ball. ![]() Instead, Root’s advice to the likes of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook is not to “over-egg” their first taste of Ashes cricket to know that the spotlight will be brightest, that national interest will swell in a way that trumps all other cricket, but also very little changes in the moment. “I feel like it can come back and bite you on the arse.” “I try not to get too involved in that,” he said. ![]() ![]() Ollie Robinson has spoken of dishing out “a good hiding”, and Stuart Broad has had his red pen out, but Root was keeping his cool after the 10-wicket victory over Ireland. But he is also shrewd enough not to lob any grenades before taking on the Aussies. Aged 32 and with 11,004 runs, Root is young enough for a crack at Alastair Cook’s England record of 12,472 (fifth place overall), and possibly the very top. ![]()
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