Ashes 2025-26: Root Urges England To 'express Themselves' Ahead Of Crucial Day Three Of Brisbane Test

Ashes 2025-26: Root urges England to 'express themselves' ahead of crucial day three of Brisbane Tes (Image Source: IANS)

Before Jofra Archer: England's first-inning centurion Joe Root urged his teammates to "express themselves in the right way" in an attempt to save the second Test of the five-match Ashes series. Hosts Australia took control of the match with a 44-run lead in the Brisbane Test after bowling out England on 334 and later posting 378/6 with Jake Weatherald, Marcus Labuschagne, and stand-in captain Steve Smith scoring fifties.

"It's clear we weren't our best at that phase of the game," Root told TNT Sports at the close. "But the way that we dragged things back, by managing to take those wickets in a cluster, it shows what the nature of this game can be like, especially with the pink ball."

In England's opening innings, Root accomplished just that, finishing undefeated on 138 to score his first Test century in Australia and his 40th overall.

Before Jofra Archer and Root formed a free-wheeling last-wicket partnership of 70 in 9.4 overs, Zak Crawley's 76 was England's only other noteworthy score, along with four ducks.

England's sloppy fielding, too, has been on display with Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett dropping a few sitters. Travis Head was dropped on 3 by Smith behind the wicket, while Duckett in the gully dropped Alex Carey on his first ball of Brydon Carse, followed by Josh Inglis' catch at third slip on 6.

However, Root suggests that his side has been working hard on their fielding drills in practice sessions at the Gabba.

"It is different from a white ball," he said. "We get a lot of exposure to [floodlit cricket] in ODI cricket and T20 cricket, but it is slightly different. But you still back yourself. We practice really hard for the five days leading up to it. We made sure we got our work done. Unfortunately, it's just one of those days where a few didn't quite stick to hand. We've got to make sure we stay confident, we stay up and, when we get those chances later on in the fixture, we're ready to take them."

"We've obviously got some more work to do tomorrow, but we're certainly well and truly in this game. More than anything, we've got to come out with a huge amount of energy and positivity. We know our best cricket can turn a game very quickly, so we'll turn up tomorrow with the right attitude. We know that, if we're anywhere near our best, then very quickly this game can turn in our favour."

In order to gain a lead in the ongoing Test, Root wants England's quicks to knock out the hosts' last four wickets and then perform with the bat.

"If we get things right in the morning, and go about things as a team in the correct fashion, then we can put ourselves in a really strong position on a wicket which looks like it's plating," Root said. "It looks like there might be a few cracks to work with later on in the game. But clearly, we've got to look at tomorrow morning first and foremost, and get things right there."

In order to gain a lead in the ongoing Test, Root wants England's quicks to knock out the hosts' last four wickets and then perform with the bat.

"I've got quite a clear plan for how I score my runs," he added. "I've just got to back myself and understand that, if I do that for long periods of time and make good decisions, I'll be successful."

Article Source: IANS