Why Australia's bowling plans to Joe Root in fifth Ashes Test left England legends 'bemused' - 'It's too late now'
Updated 06/01/2026 at 09:44 GMT
React to this story
Joe Root found his form once again on the first day of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney, but England Ashes great Graeme Swann was left "bemused" by Australia's bowling tactics towards the Yorkshireman. Ben Stokes' side ended a weather-affected day on 211-3, with Harry Brook also in the runs. Watch and stream every ball on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Cook shares what he thinks is Brook's 'unique ability' - 'More than Joe Root'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Australia's tactics to Joe Root on Day 1 of the fifth and final Ashes Test left England legend Graeme Swann "bemused", as the tourists ended a weather-affected opening day in a strong position on 211-3.
Root ended on 72 not out, with fellow Yorkshireman Harry Brook also unbeaten on 78, as the pair rescued England from a perilous position of 57-3, putting on a partnership of 154 that will resume on Day 2, after the final session of the first day was lost to bad light and rain.
On a slowish Sydney deck, Root - bar a first-ball slash - was his usual unflustered self, but Swann felt he was helped by a strange field setting by stand-in Australia skipper Steve Smith.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Swann said: "The tactics Australia have actually taken on to Joe Root have bemused me a little bit, because they've had a deep backward point and they think because he opens the face, he'll then nick it.
"But the whole point, if someone is opening the face, it [the ball] has to be fairly full so they're going forward and trying to do it.
"If it's on the back foot, he [Root] has got all the time to just run it down, never looks like getting out.
- Cook reveals 'zero contact' made amid talk of England role under McCullum - 'Let’s just see'
- Exclusive: Crawley backs ‘right man’ Stokes to remain as England captain
"From Joe Root it's been absolutely serene, but because he's doing this, because he's allowed off strike, he feels good about batting.
"His forward defence all of a sudden looks very, very tight, and it hasn't most of the trip. It looks brilliant now."
Alongside Swann was Sir Alastair Cook, who dissected why Root was able to play his favourite soft-handed shot behind square on the off-side.
"The reason is that this pitch is a slower pitch," Cook said. "Perth, in particular, and Brisbane, that guided shot is a lot more of a risky shot to play.
"So maybe have the deep point there, because he might get a one but it's a high-risk shot.
"On this slow-natured wicket, more like an English wicket, hence why Joe Root averages 60 before this game at the SCG, because it's probably the most English-like wicket, that slow nature, that shot is so much less risky for him.
"I actually agree, they should have brought that point up. It's almost too late now - he's in."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/04/image-169cd3d4-4d0f-4fd2-837d-5cc260d8f621-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Root and Brook lead England to strong position on rain-hit Day 1
Video credit: TNT Sports
Root might now have over 300 runs in the series at an average of nearly 44, but Swann thinks Root will be extra motivated for "big runs" on Day 2 after an underwhelming series by his lofty standards.
"He got that monkey off his back [with a century in Brisbane] and it was a good hundred," Swann said.
"He'll still be very disappointed with the tour overall because he sets very high standards and we know how good a player he is.
"He'll be doubly determined on this pitch, because it does support the way he plays. He'll be doubly determined to get big runs here."
Where Brook is better than even Root
While Root accumulated quietly at one end, Brook attempted some altogether riskier shots, especially when Australia set him up with the short ball and multiple catchers in the deep.
There have been, nonetheless, signs that the ultra-attacking Brook is altering his approach depending on the game situation, and Cook says he expects Brook to "evolve" as he chases "greatness".
"Harry is Harry Brook. The reason he is averaging 56, one of the fastest to 3,000 Test runs, is he thinks differently," Cook said.
"He has this genius in him and with that genius there is a sense of maverick to his batting, which seems to work for him.
"I think he will still evolve. The Harry Brook we are watching now will be slightly different to the Harry Brook we see at the end of his career, because he will crave greatness and crave real consistency. And I reckon he will just fine-tune that balance.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/04/image-9490c0f6-0909-4022-834c-92f7afbe4460-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Partnership in fine fettle' - Brook joins Root in reaching half-century
Video credit: TNT Sports
"He hasn't reached his peak, and he'll be disappointed on this tour that he hasn't delivered the goods.
"He'll be thinking, next time I'm here, hopefully he'll learn from this, bigger grounds, how to play certain periods of play."
Cook, reflecting on what makes Brook stand out even above Root, added: "If you actually look at his series, in the nine innings he's played, he's only not got to double figures once.
"He got a nought which happens to anyone. That is his unique ability. He finds getting in to an innings easier than anyone else, and I'm actually going to say that more than Joe Root.
"He [Brook] is almost in after two or three balls, Joe Root's in after 10 balls. Just watching, I think Harry is probably the quickest person I've ever seen [getting] 'in' in an innings.
"So he will be frustrated, because great, great players, once they get into double figures, they make that count.
"The reason we have optimism as England fans, is he hasn't reached his peak. And he will look at that and go, for England to win these big, big series, he will have to play a more significant part - and he will know that."
Watch and stream every ball of the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Advertisement
Advertisement