Ashes 2021-22: Joe Root Isn't Quite Switched On Enough - Ricky Ponting On The England Captain's Dismissals
England captain Joe Root has been having concentration issues in the ongoing Ashes series, believes former Aussie captain, Ricky Ponting. Root has been getting off to good starts but minor lapses in concentration have brought about his downfall.
Ponting attributes the mode of dismissals not to Root’s technique but more to the mental aspect of things. He has been caught behind the stumps a couple of times while trying to feel for deliveries that he normally would have shouldered arms to.
“It’s got to be a mental thing. There’s no technical error in his last two dismissals that has led to him getting out. It’s got to be him being not quite switched on enough for the ball he’s got out to. Marnus and Smith are really good examples of how they can find a way to be so switched on for so long,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.
“It is a concentration thing with Joe and captaincy probably doesn’t help either, (spending) long periods of time in the field when your team is not going so well. They haven’t gone so well of late with their Test results. All of those things take a toll on you,” Ponting added.
You’re likely to make a mistake having fielded for two days – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting also mentioned part of the poor concentration is down to tiredness of being in the field for more than a day and a half. Australia batted over 150 overs in the first innings and England didn’t even last for 85 overs.
“He spent one and three-quarters of a day in the field before he went in to bat. I know that’s Test cricket and everyone’s been there before but you’re probably more likely to make a mistake having fielded for two days than going out fresh,” the former Aussie captain mentioned.
Root fell to Mitchell Starc in the last over of Day 4 which further dented England’s hopes of attaining a draw in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval.
Also Read – COVID-19 Scare In BBL As Sam Whiteman Ruled Out Of The Match Between The Sydney Thunder And Brisbane Heat
