Friday 17 July 2015 20:09, UK
Ricky Ponting says Joe Root could benefit from being shifted up the order to bat at number 3 during the Ashes.
The Yorkshire batsmen, in stunning form over the last two years while batting at No 5, cheaply lost his wicket after Adam Lyth, Gary Balance and Ian Bell had done the same on day two of the second Investec Ashes Test at Lord’s which ended with England on 85-4 giving Australia a 481-run lead after they declared at 566-8.
A rampant Aussie fast bowling attack wiped out England’s top order including the in-form Root, who edged Mitchell Johnson’s delivery to Peter Nevill, leading Ponting to suggest he should be handed more responsibility higher up the order.
Root was a county opening batsman when he was picked for England,” said the Sky Sports expert. He would have a technique that would stand up to No 3 in international cricket.
“He was a county opening batsman when he was picked for England,” said the Sky Sports expert. “He would have a technique that would stand up to No 3 in international cricket.
“I still think there’s development for Root to move up the order.
“It’s what’s best for the team. Australia probably had a similar situation over the last three or four years with Michael Clarke – he predominantly batted at No 5. I know that, when I was captain, I moved him up to No 4 because I knew that was his natural progression to move higher up the order.
“When he became captain he didn’t have a good run at No 4 so moved himself back down and had a great couple of seasons. So there are certain players who are suited to certain positions.”
Ponting recalls the first Ashes test in Cardiff where Root was dropped playing a similar shot to the effort that landed in Nevill’s clutches on Friday but claims the 24-year-old’s willingness to attack means he could be bumped up England’s order.
Australia’s legendary No 3 batsman, who retired with a Test average of 51.85 runs, explains how batting higher up the order can benefit a player like Root who shares his bravery with the bat.
Ponting said: “He’s come out with a very positive mind-set in his last two innings, and he got away with it in Cardiff. He played a similar shot in Cardiff but maybe there was less pace on that wicket. He hit that in the middle of the bat, but with a little bit more pace here at Lord’s he got a fine leg through to the keeper. That’s the difference when you’re in form or out of form.
“I was always a top order player so I couldn’t adapt to bat at No 6. It was harder for me the lower I batted – sitting around all day, waiting to go and bat. I wanted to know when I’d be out there, and I often played my best when we had lost an early wicket.
“The philosophy for me was very much the same: I tried to keep things pretty simple, see the ball, hit the ball. I didn’t change the way I played if it was against the new ball or old ball, I just tried to keep a positive mind-set and put the pressure back on the bowlers."
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