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As the England side prepare for their away Ashes series against Australia, the spotlight is inevitably fixed on the World No. 1 Test batter, Joe Root. Root carries the heavy expectation of overcoming his history of underperformance in Australia, a territory where he is yet to score a century. While he is the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, only trailing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, this particular milestone has always eluded him.
Steve Harmison's makes bold Ashes prediction
Root's overall record against Australia is stellar, especially at home, where he boasts four centuries against the Ashes rivals. His aggressive brand of cricket makes him the crucial linchpin in England's batting order. However, despite being the second-highest Test run-getter ever, Australia remains unconquered for him; in 14 Tests there, he hasn't recorded a three-figure score or secured a victory. Nevertheless, former England fast-bowler Steve Harmison has publicly backed Root, expressing strong faith in his ability to perform.
“People have been telling me for two years that Joe Root is coming over to Australia to average 50. He’s not. I think he’s coming over to average 150. I really do,’’ Harmison was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.
Joe Root is widely viewed as being on track to potentially break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the highest number of runs in Test cricket, which currently stands at 15,921. Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison believes that Root's performance and run-scoring exploits in the upcoming Ashes series could significantly narrow the gap and bring him much closer to the legendary Indian batter's career tally.
“The way he is playing. The mindset he is in. You can have your mortgage on Joe Root scoring at least one hundred. It would not surprise me if he went past what Cook did in 2010-11,’’ he added.
Joe Root will have the best Ashes series: Harmison
Harmison went a step further, not only backing Root but also picking his side for the series, confidently claiming that England could beat this Australian side.
“I am backing England, maybe like 3-1 to come to Australia and sledge Australia and Joe Root to have the best series he has had for a long time. I am that confident England will win. Where Joe is at with his mentality and the fact that Cummins is out, I mean Joe is vulnerable the first 15 to 20 balls in Australian conditions, but after that he just keeps accumulating. England doesn’t fear Australia. I don’t think there’s a fear in the world anymore, the way the young players go,” he concluded.
Notably, over the last two decades, Australia has been overwhelmingly dominant in home Ashes series against England. They secured comprehensive 5-0 clean sweeps in both the 2006-07 and 2013-14 seasons. Furthermore, they claimed decisive 4-0 victories in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 campaigns. The only blot on this dominant two-decade home record occurred during the 2010-11 summer, when a transitioning Australian side was defeated 3-1 by the touring England team.
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