Former Australia fast bowler Rodney Hogg has called Joe Root England's weakness ahead of the Ashes, which begin in nine days' time.
Rodney Hogg: Root's technique does not work in Australia
Speaking to 10 Sport on Tuesday (November 11), Hogg, who played 38 Tests for Australia between 1978 and 1984, said, "Joe Root will be a total failure in this series. His technique does not work in Australia. He's got 39 test matches (hundreds), he averages 51.
"In Australia he averages 35. He plays the ball under his nose. He loves to glide it down between third slip and gully. You can't do that in Australia, you nick those. So his technique does not work in Australia. Joe Root will be their weakness."
Root's Test record in Australia has been the subject of much debate. England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket with 13,543 to his name so far, he remains in with a chance of overtaking Sachin Tendulkar's world-record tally of 15,291.
However, Australia has not been a happy hunting ground for him. Apart from Bangladesh and the UAE (where he has played just two and three Tests respectively), it is the only country in which he does not have a Test century. He does, however have nine half-centuries in 14 Tests.
Last year, former Australia international Darren Lehmann said he rated Root as being "a rung below" his peers Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, due to the lack of a Test century in Australia. When asked about the comments later, Root declined to be drawn in: "I'll do my job and he can do his job. He's completely entitled to say what he wants. That's his right."
Matthew Hayden was more bullish on Root's prowess in Australia, saying he would "walk nude around the MCG" if Root did not make a century Down Under this summer.
Hogg is also not one to mince his words.
In 2023, the former quick described the visiting West Indies Test team as "hopeless" and "pathetic" after they slipped to a ten-wicket defeat to Australia in Adelaide.
Those comments did somewhat leave him with egg on his face as West Indies roared back to win the second Test at the Gabba. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite said at the post-match presentation that Hogg's words inspired the team. They may do the same for Root...
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