England's problem threatening Ashes ambitions

Joe Root's reluctance to bat himself in the pivotal number three position threatens to disrupt England's Ashes ambitions and opens a goldmine of possibilities for Australian fielders, a panel of former internationals has warned.

Former England captains Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain and Ian Botham, as well as Australian leg-spin legend Shane Warne, were all unanimous in calling for the current England skipper to bat at No.3 during an Ashes selection round-table on Sky Sports.

"The issue is, he doesn't want to," said Atherton. "It's a problem. I agree, I think Root should bat three, but he doesn't want to, and that's an issue."

Root was elevated to No.3 on England's last tour Down Under when Jonathan Trott left the tour before the second Test. Root played the next three matches at No.3 before being dropped for the fifth Test in Sydney.

He returned at No.4 and enjoyed a golden period before he was, eventually, cajoled into moving back to No.3 by then captain Alastair Cook and coach Trevor Bayliss for England's 2016 home season against Pakistan.

He responded with a brilliant 254, and batted there for the summer and throughout England's five-Test tour of India last November-December.

But upon being made captain after Cook stepped down, he immediately insisted he return to his preferred No.4 spot, despite the affect it has had on the team balance.

England now have glaring uncertainties over the positions of Cook's opening partner, the No.3 and No.5 batters.

Warne, Australia's all-time leading wicket-taker with 708 Test scalps, was unequivocal about where his partisan preference lay.

"I'd much rather him at four, because we could get two wickets straight away," Warne said.

Indeed, with unconvincing efforts from the likes of Mark Stoneman, Tom Westley and Keaton Jennings this season, England's skipper often found himself at the crease much earlier than he would have liked.

Against South Africa at Lord's Root made 190 after England were reduced to 2-17. At Trent Bridge it was 78 after England were 2-3. Against the West Indies at Edgbaston England were 2-39 and Root scored 136. And at Headingley, England were 2-26 and Root scored 59.

Overall, in the 16 Tests where he has come in at first drop, Root averages 45.33, compared to the 56.16 he averages at No.4.

"Your side is built on a solid top three but Root is always coming in reacting to a crisis," said Hussain.

"Wouldn't it be better if Root goes in before a crisis happens?"

Warne cited the example of Ricky Ponting, Australia's leading Test run-scorer and long-term No.3.

"When I saw him bat at three – and he was one of the greatest players that I played with in my time – he was so proactive," Warne said.

"You’d lose an early wicket, and suddenly the bowler’s on the back foot 20 minutes later, they're defensive, a slip moves out to cover, and you can get momentum back in your favour."

The pundits argued England would be strengthened by moving Root up to allow the likes of Alex Hales, who has been in fire form for Nottinghamshire in county cricket's second division, to slot into the middle order.

"Best player bats at three for me, simple as that," said Warne.

Asked what sort of reception Root could expect from the Australian side, Warne said the England captain could expect to cop an earful.

"I'm not sure the current team might have the same stuff as what I might have said to him, but a lot of 'You're hiding down at four, your team needs you at three and you don't want to do it' … those types of things," said Warne.

"Just remind him of that stuff and hopefully he takes the bait and starts biting back. Suddenly you're in a contest with him."

Upon being coaxed to move up the order in 2016, Root said his chastening experiences in the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash would not cloud his thoughts on batting No.3 again.

"In Australia I was thrown in under strange circumstances, in a series when we weren't at our best," Root said in July 2016. "I have matured quite a lot as a player since and my game has developed.

"As a kid I always opened so I'm used to batting against the new ball. I have experience of opening, batting at No3 and I'm just looking forward to getting on with it."

England face limited-overs series against the West Indies before the England selectors name their touring party to Australia.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

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Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21