ROOT TURNS THE TABLES ON AUSTRALIA

JOE ROOT admits he is savouring England’s white-ball dominance over Australia all the more after captaining his country to defeat in the Ashes. Root (pictured) led the tourists to a bruising 4-0 loss in the Test series, but, since surrendering the urn, he has personified a glaring shift in fortunes, coming to the fore in handsome one-day victories at the MCG and the Gabba. After making 91 not out in the record chase in Melbourne, he was again unbeaten as England chased down 271 in Brisbane, hitting 46 as he and Chris Woakes (39no) sealed a four-wicket win with more than five overs remaining to go 2-0 up in the five-match series. Root had earlier chipped in with two for 31 as Eoin Morgan’s inspired decision to use his occasional off-breaks for seven overs struck gold. ‘It’s a lot nicer than the other way round, I’ll tell you that,’ he said of the changing momentum. ‘It’s been a tough tour. There are quite a few guys who have been involved in the Tests and we now have a great opportunity to be really successful throughout this series. ‘I’m still going about my cricket in the same manner, the same determination and drive. I was desperate to win that Test series and I’m desperate to win this white-ball series.’ Aussie skipper Steve Smith, a near untouchable presence during the Ashes, has cut a much more troubled figure since trading his whites for Australia’s all-yellow kit. He has now overseen just one win in the last 10 ODIs and become only the second Australian captain to lose a limited-overs match to England at their Gabba fortress. ‘It was frustrating — we got ourselves into a reasonable position with 11 overs to go and everything fell to pieces again,’ he said. ‘Getting to 270 isn’t good enough against a quality batting line-up like England. ‘They outplayed us again in every facet of the game. The next game in Sydney is obviously a do-or-die clash for us and we have to come out and play some better one-day cricket.’