England will keep cool heads – Root

– Joe Root (right) insisted England will avoid pressing the panic button after going 1-0 down in the Ashes, with a crushing 251-run defeat in the first Test at Edgbaston.

England needed to bat out the whole of Monday’s final day to salvage a draw ahead of next week’s second Test at Lord’s.

But they were dismissed for just 146 inside 53 overs, with Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon taking six wickets.

Lyon’s efforts on a wearing pitch were in marked contrast to those of England off-spinner Moeen Ali, whose lack of control, never mind wickets, was exemplified by a couple of “beamers” he bowled during Australia’s mammoth second-innings 487/7 declared.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach has been tipped to replace Moeen at Lord’s, having bailed England out with a career-best 92 in their Test win over Ireland last month.

“With Mo, you’ve got to remember how threatening he can be and what an asset he has been to this team in the past,” said Root.

“Whenever he’s been written off before he generally comes back stronger.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re clear about how we approach the next game and not make too many emotional decisions,” he added.

Root said England could take heart from the way they won the World Cup, when they had to overcome pool-stage defeats, including a shock loss to Sri Lanka, before beating New Zealand in a thrilling final.

“Seeing emotionally how things changed throughout the World Cup is probably a good example to the group,” Root said.

Root defended England’s move to field James Anderson, 37, at Edgbaston after England’s alltime leading Test wicket-taker bowled just four overs on the opening morning before injuring the same right calf that had made him doubtful for the match. Being a bowler down was a huge setback for England.

Root, however, said he had no regrets about the veteran paceman’s inclusion.

“No, not at all,” he insisted. “He passed every medical test. He was fit to play.

“It’s one of those freak scenarios where he pulled up – because it’s the same calf, we’re not sure whether it’s a slightly different injury.

“Jimmy in those conditions, if he bowls 15 overs, things could have been very different in the first innings in general.” – AFP