Joe Root dismisses concerns that England captaincy is affecting his batting
Skipper Joe Root has dismissed suggestions that is currently affecting his batting before England’s bid to level the Ashes series at the Kia Oval.
Root, 28, averages 30.87 from the series prior to the fifth and final Evaluation also has yet to score a hundred, even while in contrast former Australia captain Steve Smith has chalked up 671 runs in 134.20.
Before he shot more than Alastair Cook at February 2017, Root averaged 52.80 using the bat, but that figure has dropped to 40.90 since – a duck in each of the past three Ashes Tests leading to a 2-1 series deficit.
But when requested by Sky Sports if he feels the captaincy affects his batting, Root said:”No. It has been a difficult season for batting on either side. I’ve not performed as I’d have liked but that’s a part and parcel of Test cricket.
“You have got to keep trying to find means of counter-acting difficult passages of drama and good bowling. I will continue trying to work on that and try to improve my sport.”
Out-going head coach Trevor Bayliss defended Root’s captaincy on Wednesday, stating:”He has not come under question from anybody making any decisions. He’s under no stress at all.”
Root worried that he is focussed on attempting to procure a series-levelling win against Australia before embarking upon what he expects will succeed winter tours of New Zealand and South Africa.
He explained:”In terms of my own captaincy, I know the way I need to take this group ahead and it is about starting that today and not after this series – trying to make certain we utilize this as a stepping stone; win this match and then have a very powerful winter and then move ahead as a team.”
Australia enter the Evaluation using retained the Ashes and ruler Tim Paine claims that his side don’t have any intention of surrendering a string win – that the tourists calling Mitchell Marsh to get Travis Head up.
England have made two modifications of their own using Chris Woakes and all-rounders Sam Curran returning in the cost of opener Jason Roy and seamer Craig Overton, also Root says that the hosts are determined to end the summer on a winning notice.
“We have not missed anything yet,” he said. “Of course, we’re not able to win the Ashes back but we’re entirely focused on making sure we do everything we can to finish the series 2-2.
“We’ve got an opportunity to level this series and make it marginally better as it appears right now. So we have got to be certain that we win this match that is the focus of this group.
“And there is the Evaluation Championship points to play as well, which down the line may make a huge difference, so there is plenty to play .”
Watch the fifth and final Ashes Test live on Sky Sports The Ashes from 10am on Thursday and follow along over-by-over commentary and in-play clips on skysports.com and the Sky Sports App.
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