Rob Key on the Ashes: Why Steve Smith should be Australia captain, and batting at No3 is perfect for Joe Root

Ashes to Ashes | Smith, then captain of Australia, holds the urn with England skipper Joe Root in 2017
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Rob Key31 July 2019

When England go to Australia, the locals go on about cutting off the head of the snake — targeting the touring captain.

Well, England are in a similar position this time, because in Tim Paine, Australia have a captain more uncertain of his place in the side than any touring England team in my lifetime.

You associate the Australian captain with being a top batsman and intimidating leader — Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting.

Paine cannot even be certain of his place in the side. I understand why he took over last year. He seems a good bloke who has helped hold things together after the sandpaper scandal. But he was the stopgap option who has stayed on. Steve Smith has served his time and if it was up to me, he would already be captain again.

Now Australia have other options as keeper-batsman, such as Matthew Wade and Alex Carey — either of whom could bat at No6 and allow them to pick another proper bowling option. Wade, who averaged 60 in the most recent Sheffield Shield, looks likely to play as a specialist batsman and Carey is smashing it for Sussex in the T20 Blast having been so good in the World Cup, when he stood up in the biggest games — such as when he was hit on the head at Edgbaston.

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As much as the romantics like to talk about pure glovemen, more than anything being a modern keeper is about your batting. It’s Australia’s own fault because Adam Gilchrist changed the game so starkly.

One of the reasons I’ve admired Australian cricket over the years is its lack of sentimentality. They are merciless — look at Mark Waugh, Michael Slater or Damien Martyn, all great players who were cut off as soon as they looked over the hill. Paine is 34 and has played more than 100 first-class games, but scored just one century. He has done fine in Tests since coming back for the 2017/18 Ashes, averaging almost 35, but has a top score of just 62.

He is a decent keeper. I saw bits of Australia’s series against India this winter. Paine did a lot of standing up to the stumps chattering into the stump mic. It’s all well and good giving a few one-liners, but you want your captain scoring big runs. Australia don’t need Jimmy Carr behind the stumps making gags.

You look through their team and Paine looks under as much pressure as anyone and England must try and exploit that.

Paine leads a side that has very strong elements. It is a decent team that can talk about leaving Mitchell Starc out. Smith will be an all-time great, David Warner is class. Pat Cummins is such an intelligent and talented cricketer, James Pattinson has played a lot of county cricket and is the bowler guys talk about in hushed tones — when someone bowls proper pace word gets around like wildfire. Will those top players be enough to cover some cracks?

Australia will be a decent side but England have a rare Ashes opportunity — to get after the captain.

Batting first man down perfect for Root

I like that Joe Root will bat No3. As captain, if you are agonising over a decision, I think you should take the positive option. This is that. He is the player best suited to No3. An early wicket would now bring England’s best and most experienced batsman to the crease to sort it out as early as possible. It is also leading by example. Now, if he wants to move other players about, like Jos Buttler or Jonny Bairstow, he can say “I’ve done it, now join me up the order”. It is the right move.

England captain Joe Root Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Gareth Copley/Getty Images

It is good news for Joe Denly, who is now at home at No4. As it was, three inexperienced players in the top three looked unbalanced. Now there is a better spread.

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I am glad Jason Roy is staying as an opener. We get too carried away with roles in cricket. Players talk in meetings about wanting clarity in their roles. As a batsman, Roy’s role is to score runs, not to score them like a one-day batsman. It doesn’t matter if they are fast or slow. If he gets that right, there is huge upside for him as a Test opener.

As many have suggested, with the older Dukes ball, the bowlers will be right in the game. England have to understand how hard they are making it for their batsmen and be mentally strong.

And my series prediction...

England to win 3-1, with a bit of rain. Joe Root to lead from the front and score the most runs. James Anderson, whose battle with Steve Smith will define the series, to take the most wickets.

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