Joe Root‘s horror start to the Ashes has prompted the England star to go the extra mile to ensure there is no repeat against Mitchell Starc at the Gabba.
One of the world’s best batters was dismissed by Starc in both innings at Perth Stadium for scores of 0 and 8 in what was an ugly two-day defeat for the tourists.
Starc has now gotten the better of Root on 10 occasions at Test level and things will only get more difficult for the England top-order against the pink ball.
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As a result of the looming battle, cricket commentator Bharat Sundaresan posted a clip on social media of Root hitting left-arm throwdowns for 25 minutes.
It shows that the former England captain is looking to eradicate some issues quickly ahead of a fixture that Starc dominates on a yearly basis on Australian soil.
The 34-year-old was quizzed about his history facing Starc – including in the series opener – before explaining the “challenge” that the big left-arm quick presents.
“I think the first innings, to be honest, it was a pretty good ball,” Root said.
“I wasn’t looking to whip it through square leg or anything like that. It was just one of those things you can get on a lively wicket. In England that probably doesn’t carry, it drops short with soft hands. It’s just one of the things you have to wear.
“[In the second innings] I just made a slight error of judgement and it costs you. You could play and miss at that, or it goes between stumps and keeper and goes for four.
“Clearly the more he has played, the more experience he’s getting, and the more skills he’s developed. He’s a fine bowler and has been for a long time – that’s never changed.
“They’ve had a couple of injuries, and he’s had to step up and he did that very well in the last game. Our challenge will be, can we counter that this week?
Mitchell Starc Cricket Australia via Getty Imag
“It’s understanding all of the different tools he might have and then how are you going to counter that both in a positive manner and in allowing yourself to do it for a long period.
“Just being clear individually in how you want to go about scoring your runs and readying yourself as best you can is going to be the key.”
Australia’s bowling attack is expected to look mostly the same in Brisbane, with injured captain Pat Cummins not included in the wider squad and Josh Hazlewood still sidelined.
The only potential change would see Nathan Lyon miss out with the Aussies to consider bringing in Beau Webster or potentially a fourth front-line seamer in Michael Neser.
The second Test begins on Thursday afternoon.