England Cricket Team Over-Dependent On Joe Root In Tests?

In the concluded first Ashes test at Gabba, Australia emerged victorious on day 4 of the match. However, after Day 3 it seemed that England may be back in the game, all due to captain Joe Root's 89 & Dawid Malan's 82; they came back unbeaten on day 3 after batting for a major part of the day.

However, this was not enough as England was bowled out for 147 in the first innings and Australia clustered 425 runs in reply, assuming a lead of 278 runs. Even though Joe Root couldn't help England save the match, he definitely avoided defeat by an innings. 

Joe Root has been the highest run-scorer in tests this year for England

It won't be wrong to say that Root has been a 'lone warrior' for England in a 'team game'. The English captain has 1,544 runs to his name this year, which is the most by any English batter in a year. Behind him is Rory Burns with 492 runs. This clearly lays out how consistent and impactful Root has been, as the batter behind him doesn't even have half of Root's total runs to their name. 

Even though one may argue that Joe Root has played more matches than any other English batter this year, the captain's impeccable average puts it all to rest. 'The Golden Child' averages 64.33 in tests 2021, miles ahead of the next best English batter in terms of batting average (Dawid Malan - 194 runs averaging 38.80).

In the 13 tests England have played this year, England have won 4, lost 7 and has drawn 2 matches. Let's have a look at Joe Root's performance in these matches categorically. 

In the 7 matches England lost, Root has 484 runs to his name in 14 innings - averaging 37.23 with 1 half-century & 1 century to his name. These numbers are better in the 2 drawn matches English have played - 255 runs in 4 innings at an average of 63.75, again with 1 half-century & 1 century. 

The English captain's records improve drastically in the matches England won, 805 runs in 7 innings (4 matches) at an extraordinary average of 115. He has 4 centuries in these matches and no fifties or even a duck! This clearly shows how England are over-dependent on their captain's bat to win the match. 

Let's have a look at the top 5 run scorers for England in tests this year: 

• Joe Root - 1,544 runs in 13 matches at 64.33
• Rory Burns - 492 runs in 9 matches at 28.94
• Ollie Pope - 359 runs in 8 matches at 23.93
• Dom Sibley - 356 runs in 10 matches at 19.77
• Daniel Lawrence - 354 runs in 8 matches at 27.23

A brief look at this list is enough to easily state that Joe Root has been the only batter looking to win matches for England in tests this year. Another noteworthy point, Joe Root has 6 centuries to his name this year, Rory Burns has 1 while none of the other English have scored a test century in 2021. 

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22 - England vs Australia Schedule and Squads

The second test of Ashes 2021-22 is set to begin from December 16th at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. Australia won the first test by 9 wickets and are 1-0 up. England need to produce a magical performance in the second test to limit the dominating Kangaroo team and stay alive in the series, and for this, someone other than English captain Joe Root has to step up!