Joe Root urges his players to end England’s history of failure at the Wa

Joe Root has urged his players to forget about England’s wretched past at the Waca and jolt their flatlining Ashes defence back into life in the third Test after Trevor Bayliss issued the squad with final warnings over their off-field behaviour.

Bayliss, the head coach, has held meetings with senior members of the touring party and the group as a whole, delivering the message directly that any drink-related incidents such as the one that resulted in Ben Duckett being suspended from Lions duty and fined will be met with the firmest action.

With the third Test starting on Thursday, Root said we was “fed-up” with talking about discipline and maintained some perceptions about his squad differ greatly from the hardworking reality. More pressing on the young captain’s mind is getting back into the series from 2-0 down at a ground where one win from 13 previous attempts shows the scale of the task.

“Trevor Bayliss has expressed his feelings and it’s about moving on now,” said Root. “That’s why as a group we have to make sure we perform well this week, win and get people talking about the cricket. Go to Melbourne 2-1 down then the whole dynamic of the series [changes]. We still believe we can win the series but we now need to prove that to everyone else.”

On the prospect of playing at the Waca, hosting its final Ashes Test, Root added: “It’s exciting to be part of history. But ultimately we have to be smart in how we prepare, with clear ways of how we go about things. That will give us the best chance of winning, not looking at history.”

Root conceded that Jimmy Anderson, the player on the receiving end of Duckett’s drink last Thursday and his vice-captain on tour, may well need to set a better example but, like the team as a whole, the bowler’s focus now should be his on-field performance.

Alastair Cook spoke strongly on the subject, admitting it had taken far too long for the seriousness of the Ben Stokes situation to register with sections of the squad. This, plus the scoreline, is why two minor late-night incidents (the first involving Jonny Bairstow) have hurt the squad’s image and, in Cook’s view, undone their progress in that area since 2013.

“The world changed for English cricket with the Ben Stokes incident,” said Cook. “We spent a lot of time trying to reconnect with the public, these things tarnish all of us. It’s taken us a couple of months to realise the scrutiny we are now under and we’ve got to adjust.”

Cook, preparing for his 150th Test, knows all about the stresses of captaining England. Root, his successor and only nine Tests into his reign, admitted to some surprise at still having his hair given the tour so far. His decision to bat at No4 remains firm and though Bairstow and Moeen Ali may trade places in the batting order, the XI looks set to be unchanged.

Root added: “I feel like I’ve learned a large amount as captain. I’m nine games into it and I’m trying to develop a team that over a long period of time can achieve success, go far and do special things. It’s time to stand up. These are the games that, when you get them right, they really hit home with people.

“That’s the opportunity in front of this group, to go and win here at the Waca for the first time in a long time. All it takes is making those snippets of performances from the first two games last for five days, having that mentality and being in that contest for such a long period. Get that right then there is no reason we can’t be sat here at 2-1 next week.”

(GUARDIAN)