Cricket 2021: Joe Root may be in the form of his life but Australia knows how to contain him

His form in the current series against India is imperious, but when England skipper Joe Root faces Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, it’s another matter entirely.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 09: Justin Langer, coach of Australia, looks on during game two of the Gillette One Day International series between Australia and South Africa at Adelaide Oval on November 09, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Joe Root may be in the form of his life, but a former English captain fears two Australian fast men know how to rattle his cage.

No Test bowler from any nation has dismissed English captain Root more times than Australian trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, who have him seven times each, but it is the pace duo Nasser Hussain believes will be the biggest threat in the looming Ashes summer.

Collectively they have dismissed Root eight times lbw or bowled, probing straight and full and somehow finding gaps in a defence which has been bank vault secure in the current series against India where he has scored 64, 109, 180 not out and 33.

“Hazlewood and Cummins in particular bowl very well to him,’’ Hussain told Fox Cricket’s Road To The Ashes podcast.

“Maybe they are quicker and they nip it — but they seem to somehow get him trapped on the crease and lbw and bowled. That will be his main challenge.

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England's captain Joe Root plays a shot at Lord's Picture: AFP

“When you are playing against certain a bowler who has had it over you psychologically you need a score. If he can get an early score in the Ashes, he will be up and running. But I think Cummins and Hazlewood will be front of mind at the start of the series.’’

Hussain said the challenge of uprooting Root — by far England’s best batsman — should not be underestimated for he has shown enormous class and courage to carry England who are one Test down after two in the five Test series with India.

“He is world class and a real ambassador for our game. Simple technique – plays back and forward and gets through the line and plays spin really well. Crunches off the back foot, square cuts … he is just prolific at the moment.’

Josh Hazlewood has dismissed Joe Root seven times.

Meanwhile, former Test fast bowler Brett Lee told the podcast he strongly disagreed with Australia’s plan to rotate its fast bowlers through the summer, a consequence of the side’s late-series fade-out against India last summer.

“I hate that word rotation I really do. I think if you are a fast bowler and unless you are injured (you shouldn’t be rotated).

“I want to three fast bowlers play all five Tests (this summer). It is a test of your courage, pace and stamina. Starc is bowling well again and it looks as though he is over his knee. Cummins is a world class superstar. Hazelwood has that great line and length. You hunt in a pack and you don’t want to lose a mate.”

Joe Root celebrates his 150 with Moeen Ali at Lord's this week. Picture: Getty Images

The talented England skipper has been in exceptional form in the English summer.

Hussain had mixed feelings about the planned deck shuffling.

“It’s old school against new school – in our day you would.bowl fast bowler until they tapped you on the shoulder.

“Now they tend to react before they hit the red zone. It would be interested to see the stats because we have rested and rotated fast bowlers in England and there have been plenty of injuries.’’