Overview
- The West Australian labeled him “Average Joe,” calling him a homeland hero but a pretender in Australia as media mind games ramp up.
- Root has 892 runs at 35.68 from 14 Tests in Australia with nine fifties and a best of 89, leaving a rare gap in his record.
- Analysis highlights struggles against full and good-length pace on bouncy pitches, with many recent dismissals from balls projected to miss the stumps.
- Matchups loom with Scott Boland, who removed Root four times in 2021–22 before Root scored 63 off 75 without loss against him in England in 2023; he has fared better against Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.
- England open the Ashes on November 21 in Perth, with Pat Cummins unavailable for the first Test and Steve Smith set to lead, as Root says he feels ready and has arrived with confidence.