Written by Vaibhav Tripathi
Nasser Hussain, the former England captain, hoped that the team management would move Joe Root up to No.3 for the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Ollie Pope, England’s vice-captain, held that spot, but was ruled out of the series after a shoulder injury sustained during the second Test at Lord’s. In England’s nail-biting win at Headingley in the third Test, Harry Brook, in the first innings, and Moeen Ali, in the second, filled the position without making a significant impact.
Meanwhile, Root has performed admirably, accumulating 232 runs at an average of 46.40 across the three matches, including an unbeaten 118 on the first day of the opening Test at Edgbaston. Notably, all of his runs were accumulated while batting at No.4.
“I’d be trying to convince Joe Root to bat at No.3,” said Hussain, talking to Sky Sports. “They may not do it. He said before the game (third Test) actually, Joe (Root), in the press conference, ‘I’m quite happy to move to No.3.’
“And then obviously, Brook did it, but I would be trying to convince Joe Root to go out and bat No.3. He’s England’s best player. He will end up England’s greatest-ever batter, and that’s where he should be coming in, one down.”
The numbers don’t back up Hussain though. Root averages only 39.67 from 59 innings at No.3, while he averages 52.24 and has scored 19 of his 30 Test centuries from No.4.