Ashes 2021-22: Shane Warne Backs Joe Root To Continue Captaincy Despite Series Defeat

Former Australian spin legend Shane Warne wants Joe Root to remain the captain of the England test team despite the Ashes debacle. With one game to go in the series, the visitors have already lost the urn to the Aussies down under. After three consecutive losses, England registered a hard-earned draw in the fourth Test in Sydney.

Meanwhile, there have been talks about removing Joe Root as the coach of the England Test team. However, Shane Warne, while talking to TalkSport denied his removal from the position. He said that Root is the man to lead the side at the moment and that he should continue as captain. He added saying that he needs players around him to share the responsibility of winning Test matches for the side.

Joe Root Is The Man To Captain The Side: Shane Warne

“I think Joe Root is the man to captain the side. I think he should remain as captain. What he needs, though, is not sports science people or data. He can have those people in the background. But what he needs around him is hard, Test match players, who have been there and know the game of cricket,” Warne said.

“They can help him with tactics and strategy. If you surround him with a few of those people, you’ll see the best of Root. You would have to say there’s not enough good cricket knowledge people around him,” Warne added further.

Joe Root ended 2021 with 1708 runs scoring six hundreds and four fifties in 15 matches. 2021 remains his best year in Test cricket averaging 61. Root lacked support from the other batsmen consistently throughout the calendar year.

Shane Warne has criticised England’s selection policies stating that they have been disappointing with the way they have played in the series so far.

“England will be disappointed with the way they’ve played. They could’ve played a lot better. But I think Australia have been absolutely outstanding as well. I just think England have got a lot of the basics wrong. How does Stuart Broad not play that first Test?” said Warne.

The fifth and final Test begins in Hobart from January 14. It will be a day-night match.

Also Read: England And Wales Cricket Board To Restrict Players’ Participation In The IPL After Ashes Debacle – Reports