England skipper surrenders favourite spot

CRICKET: Joe Root will step up to No.3 in the Ashes to cure England’s batting woes.

The skipper, who prefers to bat at No.4, is taking it upon himself to end the early collapses that threaten his side’s chances against Australia.

The switch means Joe Denly will drop to No.4 with Jason Roy and Rory Burns continuing as opening batsmen.

England were also given an Ashes boost yesterday when swing king Jimmy Anderson declared himself fit for the

First Test at Edgbaston tomorrow.

Anderson bowled six overs flat-out in the nets and felt no problems with the right calf muscle he tore while playing for Lancashire on July 2. “It feels good – I’m ready to go,” Anderson said.

Jofra Archer, however, is unlikely to be risked as he returns from a side strain, which means Anderson and Stuart Broad sharing the new ball and Chris Woakes as third seamer.

There has been huge speculation over the past 72 hours and now Root has made his move. It is understood the skipper went to coach Trevor Bayliss and chief selector Ed Smith with the proposal.

But it was felt that, after just one match as an opener in which he scored 72 in the second innings against Ireland, it would be too disruptive to make another change.

Instead, utility batsman Denly will bat at four. The change comes after one Test this summer in which England were bowled out by Ireland in a single session before winning by 143 runs.

It shows England are worried about the damage that could be inflicted with the new ball by Aussie fast bowlers such as Pat Cummins and James Pattinson.

In England’s nine most recent Tests, five different batsmen have gone in at No.3. — The Sun