ROOT OUT OF ORDER
Skipper has huge Ashes call to make
JOE ROOT will prepare for the Ashes with a bout of soul searching over his place in the England batting order for the first Test at Edgbaston.
The captain’s strong preference is to come in at No.4 but most people, including head coach Trevor Bayliss, are convinced he should bat a spot higher to avoid sending out the most inexperienced England topthree in Ashes history when the series begins on Thursday.
“All the options were discussed in the selection meeting,” said Bayliss.
“It has been my thought for a few years that Joe should bat at No.3 and he did it for a while.
“But, look, Joe is the captain and he will make the final decision.”
In last week’s Test win against Ireland, England fielded a top three of Rory Burns, Jason Roy and Joe Denly, who have a combined 11 caps.
Ex-skippers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton are among many who argue Root should move up a place and allow Roy’s more expansive style to flourish in the middle-order. That position is perfect for Roy, and the one- day star was praised by Bayliss for his debut against Ireland.
“Like any debutant, Jason looked nervous,” Bayliss said.
“To score 70-odd in your first Test was a good effort. He wouldn’t be the first player to look a little scratchy.”
England have left all options open for the fast-bowling department by selecting a 14-man squad that includes World Cup hero Jofra Archer.
Bayliss added: “It’s something we will have to discuss between now and selection of the final XI – whether he has bowled enough overs. “We have a duty of care for him as well not to necessarily bowl him into the ground when he hasn’t played a red- ball game for 12 months or whatever.
“If everything was perfect we would have the option of extra pace, and a left-armer in Sam Curran, to have that point of difference.”
ENGLAND’S FIRST TEST SQUAD: Root (captain), Ali, Anderson, Archer, Bairstow (wk), Broad, Burns, Buttler (wk), Curran, Denly, Roy, Stone, Woakes, Stokes (vice-captain).