As the Ashes series continues, Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opener, shares his thoughts on key England players Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Zak Crawley. His commentary comes in light of the recent performances during the series, particularly after England’s heavy loss in the opening Test at Perth.
Matthew Hayden’s Bold Prediction
Hayden indicated he would undertake an outrageous act if Joe Root does not score a century in this series, questioning his confidence after Root’s disappointing scores of nought and eight in Perth. During the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hayden expressed serious concerns regarding Root’s performance and emphasized the pressure on the star player, especially as he has yet to score a Test century in Australia after 15 matches.
Concerns for Joe Root
Despite being England’s leading run-scorer, Root has faced challenges against Australia’s bowling attack. In the first Test, he was dismissed twice by Mitchell Starc, raising concerns about his technique. Hayden remarked, “I probably didn’t see a lot of convincing evidence from Root in Perth,” highlighting a need for improvement as the series progresses.
England’s Performance in the First Test
- First Test: November 21-25, 2023, held in Perth.
- England reached 59-1 at lunch on day two but collapsed to 164.
- Key dismissals were Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, and Joe Root.
- Australia chased down 205 runs with swift batting by Travis Head, who scored 123 off 83 balls.
Focus on Harry Brook and Zak Crawley
Hayden praised Harry Brook for his potential but noted that he needs to adapt more effectively to pressure situations. Brook’s performance has shown promise, yet Hayden believes sustained innings are vital for England’s success.
As for Zak Crawley, who also struggled in the first Test, Hayden advised him to discover his natural batting tempo. Crawley recorded a pair, a significant concern as his average fell below 31. Hayden encouraged him to focus on mastering the nuances of the Gabba pitch before trying to play aggressively.
Looking Ahead
As the Ashes series approaches the second Test at The Gabba on December 4, the batting performance of key players remains crucial. Both Root and Crawley need adjustments in their techniques to ensure a better outcome against Australia’s formidable bowling lineup.
In summary, with the Ashes series intensely scrutinized, Matthew Hayden’s analysis focuses on the necessary improvements for England’s batting order. Both Root and Brook must rise to the challenge, while Crawley seeks to stabilize his form to help England regain momentum in the series.
