Joe Root has been in exemplary form with the bat in the ongoing three-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka. However, Nasser Hussain feels that the former Test captain has to improve one aspect of his game, or else it could jeopardise England’s chances of winning the Ashes next year in Australia.
Root scored centuries in both innings of the second Test between England and Sri Lanka as the Three Lions took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. His ton in the second innings was his 34th in the format as he eclipsed Alastair Cook’s tally of 33. Root has more centuries in Tests than any other England batter. He is also the leading run-getter in the series, having amassed 350 runs from four innings at a staggering average of 116.67.
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While Root is receiving massive praise from all corners for his batting prowess, Hussain has constructively criticized his catching, calling for improvement ahead of the highly-anticipated tour of Australia.
“Sri Lanka, like West Indies, do not play a lot of Test cricket, but as we move into the final Test of the summer this week, England have done enough against the pair to suggest they are positioning themselves nicely for the Australian challenge,” Hussain wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.
“However, although Root’s batting was at its superlative best, for someone with such high standards, there is one thing he must improve on — his catching. He put down multiple chances here. Drop Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne and it could be Ashes gone,” Hussain added.
England had the coveted Ashes urn in their grip for the last time in 2015. Since then, in four series between the two sides, Australia has won two while two ended in a draw. The Aussies were in rampaging form the last time they hosted England as they won the Ashes 4-0. It was also the last Ashes series for Root as England’s captain; shortly afterward, he stepped down from the role with Ben Stokes replacing him at the helm.