Joe Root’s horror Ashes among the worst

Joe Root faces the grim prospect of being England’s worst-performing Ashes touring captain since Mike Brearley.

England captain Joe Root departs after being dismissed at the WACA

Joe Root arrived in Australia as one of the best batsmen in world cricket but now faces the grim prospect of leaving as England’s worst-­performing Ashes touring captain in 40 years.

Just 10 months into the top job, Root already has surrendered the urn after Australia took an un­assailable 3-0 series lead following their crushing innings victory at the WACA. But his return of 176 runs at an average of 29 .33 over the first three Ashes Tests has cast doubt on his ability to handle the pressure.

And if he doesn’t get out of his funk, Root’s average could fall below Alastair Cook’s 24.60 as captain during England’s 5-0 series loss in 2013-14. Not since Mike Brearley averaged just 22.18 during his nine Tests in charge of England in Australia from 1978-1980 has an Ashes touring captain contributed less with the bat.

For Root to ensure he doesn’t slip below Cook, he needs to score 70 runs from his next four innings in Tests at the MCG and SCG.

Cook is fighting to salvage his own Test career after scoring only 83 runs at an average of 13.83 this series.

Root’s troubles may well have stemmed from the string of off-field distractions he has been forced to deal with.

First, star all-rounder Ben Stokes was arrested before the series even began following an alleged fight outside a Bristol nightclub. Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow then had to explain his actions after greeting Cameron Bancroft with a headbutt at a Perth night spot. And the tour went from bad to worse after fringe player Ben Duckett was punished for pouring a beer over senior teammate Jimmy Anderson.

Root now faces the very real possibility of overseeing a 5-0 series whitewash, with the futures of senior players Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali and Cook all in the spotlight.

The 26-year-old said it was bitterly disappointing to lose the Ashes, but vowed to learn from the experience and insists it’s not time to panic. “As a captain, you take a lot of responsibility,” Root said. “You’re always learning, you’re always finding things out about yourself and your team. That can only make me a better player and a better captain.”

Root denied the off-field dramas had affected his own form. Instead, he said it was simply a case of trying too hard. Root’s dismissal in the second innings in Perth summed up his plight. Facing Nathan Lyon’s first delivery of the spell, Root edged a wide one to the wicketkeeper, with the ball deflecting off the gloves and into the hands of Steve Smith at first slip.

Root was criticised for going so hard at Lyon’s first ball instead of taking more time to adjust. But he said it was a ball he should have put away. “I’d like to think that if he bowled me that again, I’d smash it for four,” Root said.

AAP