Australian captain Pat Cummins took the bold step of confirming his match lineup on Sunday, three days before the Ashes opener, but Joe Root declined to divulge details of England’s playing XI.
Joe Root tackles issues with the makeup of England’s batting and bowling lineup ahead of the Ashes opener in Brisbane (AP Photo)
highlighted
- Joe Root decides not to reveal England’s playing XI for first Test in Brisbane
- Joe Root told the media, “I am not in a position to name my team right now.”
- The five-match series will start from December 8 with the first Test at the Gabba
England captain Joe Root denied playing a “mind game” with Australia, even as he remained silent about his playing XI for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. The five-match series will begin with the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 8.
Australian captain Pat Cummins took the bold step of confirming his match lineup three days before the series-opener on Sunday, but Root avoided issues with the make-up of England’s batting and bowling lineup.
“I am not into mind games. I am not in a position to name my team right now.
“The fact that they named their 11 doesn’t really worry me or change anything from our point of view. We will conduct our business as we go,” Root said in his last conversation with the media before the Ashes. Want to and will let you know when we’re ready.
Australia Confirmed Perth Test Transfer
The fifth and final Test in the upcoming Ashes has been shifted from Perth to second in Western Australia due to concerns over quarantine requirements.
Cricket Australia said on Monday that the bio-security requirements, which required players to be quarantined upon arrival in Western Australia, were too difficult to overcome.
“We are very disappointed that we are unable to stage the Ashes Test at the Perth Stadium.
“We did everything we could … to operate under the current limits and health system, but unfortunately this was not possible,” CA chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.
An alternative site has not yet been named, but Hobart in Tasmania is leading the way. The states of Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales as well as the Australian Capital Territory have expressed interest in hosting the match.
Click here for IndiaToday.in’s Full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.