The way things are going, it is hard to escape the conclusion that this is only the case because of the shape of the schedule, with three, not two, Tests after Christmas, rather than any improvement in England’s performance.
Early in another series that suddenly looks very long, England seem as stuffed as Root’s turkey. And while their preparation was hampered by Covid and rain, what will hurt most is that so many of their problems have been home-made.
Root and Chris Silverwood, the softly-spoken, submissive man taking on epic dual task of head coach and selection supremo, are under pressure for their jobs at one of the game’s great occasions, an Ashes Test on Boxing Day, here at the colossal MCG.
Root has been a maligned captain, and there are obvious shortcomings. He is respected by his team, is a good ambassador for the sport and has never shirked responsibility, whether with the bat or in decision-making. His captaincy should, based on history, be coming to a natural end. A second crack at an away Ashes series has not been afforded to a captain for a century, and in Melbourne (where he turns 31 on day five) he will draw level with his predecessor, Sir Alastair Cook, on 59 Tests, the most for an England skipper. Four to five years has been the shelf life in the modern era.
Denne historien er fra December 21, 2021-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 21, 2021-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Only £65k a month to live like Boy George
The Karma Chameleon singer listed his house for £17m in 2022, turning down offers. Now, he's looking for a tenant
Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe
We're flying far ahead of anywhere outside US for tech investment
Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase
Malik Ouzia and Simon Collings assess how the Spaniard will try to bring down Man City after he signs up for another three years with the title in his sights
Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side
Arsenal-City clashes take on a welcome edge of animosity
Whack the hippy gong-boho's back
It happened in Paris one grey February day. Sienna Miller was in an oversized, black leather jacket, lace-trimmed silk slip and clumpy great wedges.
There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?
As he was preparing his fields for seeding this year, Barry Sawchuk came across a giant slab of space debris. It had come from a spacecraft belonging to Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.
'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'
We speak to alt revolutionary DEEPAK CHOPRA about biomarkers, his digital twin and his work to save humanity from disease
I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life
Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati bring a potent, tragicomic chemistry to James Macdonald’s rich revival of Samuel Beckett’s challenging play.
Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant
To whom we turn in moments of gloom and glory can be instructive, a filter of our truest friends. I've fallen out with the Ritz a couple of times, including once after a visit to the bar which didn’t warrant a review (“But you said it was lovely!” they said.
'Healing is a dirty word'
After four traumatic years, FKA twigs is back with a new album -and a thrilling metamorphosis