Last Updated on 6 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Steve Harmison believes Joe Root is in for a huge Ashes series downunder, stating he won’t be surprised if England’s number four surpasses Alastair Cook’s effort in 2010/11. The former England fast bowler said England have the mentality to beat Australia this time around, with Root to be at the forefront.
“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 said on TalkSport.
Joe Root can go past what Alastair Cook did in 2010/11 – Steve Harmison
Alastair Cook was an unstoppable force in 2010/11. The opener struck 766 runs at 127.66 in that series, leading England to a first Ashes series win down under in 24 years.
England have not won an Ashes Test in Australia since, losing 13 of the 15 Tests. One of the draws was on one of the flattest MCG tracks in 2017/18, with the other a rain-affected draw at the SCG in 2021/22 where England held on with a wicket to spare.
However, Harmison believes England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum are a different proposition. Joe Root, who is yet to register a century in 14 Tests in Australia, is primed to go big now according to the former fast bowler.
“The way he [Joe Root] 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,” Harmison said.
“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 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 don’t fear Australia. I don’t think there’s a few in the world anymore the way the young players go.”
Harmison’s comments come as Stuart Broad called this Australian team the worst since 2010. The likes of Michael Vaughan and Michael Atherton are also confident about England’s chances which sets the scene for a fantastic Ashes duel.
The five-match series kicks off on November 21 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
