Australian cricket legend Ian Chappell wasn’t really impressed with Joe Root’s captaincy after England were bowled out for just 147 by Australia in the first inning of the ongoing first Test of the Ashes 2021-22 on Wednesday (December 8) at The Gabba, Brisbane.
England could face only 50.1 overs for a paltry 147 on the opening day of the first Ashes Test against Australia with Root returning back to the pavilion for 0 off 9 balls in Brisbane on Wednesday.
However, Chappell has admitted that Root is a “very good batter", but feels he’s not much of a captain and suggested that the “aggressive” Ben Stokes will make a better skipper for England, saying the star all-rounder has a “has a great cricket brain” and “a lot going for him”.
Notably, under Root’s captaincy, England lost the away Test series to India 1-3 in February-March 2021 and then home Test series 0-1 to New Zealand. In the recent home series, England is also trailing by 2-1 in the five-match Test series against India with the final Test to be held next year.
Chappell said on Sportsday: “I think he’s (Root) a very good batsman but he’s not much of a captain. He doesn’t have a great imagination and I think that’s important in Australia.”
He further added, “I think Stokes would be a good captain. Aggressive players don’t always make good captains but I think Stokes has a lot going for him. He has a great cricket brain, he’s a great batsman and bowler, and don’t underestimate his fielding. I think he would be a good captain and Joe Root would do well to listen to him.”
However, Chappell has high hopes from Australia’s new Test skipper Pat Cummins, saying the pacer who will be a good captain and by the end of the Ashes series; will be miles in front of Root as a captain.
He signed off by saying, “Pat Cummins will be a good captain, I think it will take him a while to get into the job but I think by the end of the series, I think Pat will be miles in front of Joe (Root) as a captain and if that’s the case, Australia will win pretty comfortably.”
(With IANS Inputs)
