Joe Root’s captaincy often lacks imagination and reason, would not benefit England in Ashes: Ian Chappell

With the Ashes 2021-22 approaching, the verbal warfare or rather say the off field banters have already begun. Ahead of the start of New Zealand series, England captain Joe Root had said that he would like to win 7 matches in a row before facing Australian in the iconic Test series.

Notably, England are playing 2 Test versus New Zealand and 5 against India from June 2 to September 14. In the ongoing Lord’s Test, Joe Root’s men have done well after getting bundled out for 275 in the first innings, however, with only 3 sessions left in the rain-marred match, outcome of a result looks difficult.

Root will definitely try to make it 6 in a row once this Test match versus New Zealand ends in a draw. The 30-year-old is searching for the perfect momentum to excel Down Under but Ian Chappell thinks that the England captain will have a difficult time there.

The former Australia captain has stated that Root’s captaincy lacks imagination and reason quite often. The fragility of the England top-order batsmen will make the tourney tougher for the Three Lions.

“Root’s captaincy often lacks imagination and reason. His tendency to have long discussions with senior players is reminiscent of Alastair Cook at his worst,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

“There’s a difference between a captain who consults and one who is uncertain; dithering is a bad look for a captain. There are times in Australia when a captain has to be imaginative in order to force the issue and this is not one of Root’s strengths,” he added.

“England possesses a potential series-winning group of fast bowlers. It is the top-order batting and Joe Root’s captaincy that should be cause for concern,” said Chappell.

Further, the 77-year-old highlighted how pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood can easily tear apart English batting.

“The opening combination of Dominic Sibley and Rory Burns is both ungainly and unconvincing. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood should rejoice if both names appear in the top slots on the team sheet at the Gabba,” said Chappell.

“Given the skill of Australia’s pace trio, poor starts could be a death sentence for England,” he added.

The Ashes will commence from December 8 at the Gabba, the same venue where Australia lost a Test match after 32 years in January 2021.