Marcus Trescothick has warned Australia it will face a different Joe Root this Ashes, with England’s batting coach also confident the conditions will suit his side.<\/p>\n
Root will begin this summer’s Ashes as the world’s top-ranked batter and one of just five players in England’s squad to have played a Test in Australia before.<\/p>\n
But the 34-year-old’s troubles in Australia, with the former England captain yet to win a Test or score a century in 14 matches in the country, have put him under pressure.<\/p>\n
Root arrived into Perth this week to headlines on the front page of the West Australian paper describing him as as “Average Joe”, a “dud” and a “pretender”.<\/p>\n
But Trescothick was adamant past tours meant very little, given Root had averaged 58 since England adopted an attacking approach under Brendon McCullum.<\/p>\n
“The way he’s gone in the last couple of years will probably explain he’s comfortable with what he’s trying to do, how he’s playing his game,” the former England opener said.<\/p>\n
“His game has gone to the next level and hence the reason where he is in the rankings.<\/p>\n
“You would be very surprised if he doesn’t carry on in that same sort of vein with the style of play and the type of player he is.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Joe Root endured a painful tour to Australia in 2021\/22. (Getty Images: Sarah Reed – CA)<\/p>\n
Trescothick also faced an early barrage from the Perth media on Tuesday, dead-batting a question on whether the Barmy Army was hypocritical for targeting Steve Smith given England’s use of mints to alter the ball during the 2005 Ashes.<\/p>\n
There has also been friendly fire from England greats ahead of this summer.<\/p>\n