The struggles of Joe Root in the 2018/19 Big Bash is finally at an end. The England captain’s stint down under is completed, and he can head for home from Sydney.
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Joe Root Has Had His Struggles In Australia’s Big Bash League
Root’s miserable time in the Big Bash League finally came to end when his Sydney Thunder team lost to Brisbane Heat at the Spotless Stadium in Sydney.
In his 7 matches for the Thunder, Root only managed 93 runs at an average of just 15.5. He had a highest score of just 26, and his strike rate was a modest 114.81.
Compare that to his England and Sydney Thunder team mate Jos Buttler (okay, I know that is a bit unfair), and you can see just how stark the contrast is. Buttler scored 273 runs in his 7 matches, with a highest score of 89. He scored three 50s, averaged 39, and had a strike rate of over 135.
Root’s T20 Struggles Are Nothing New
Back in 2018, Root lost his place in the England T20 side, and went unsold in the IPL auction. On this form, it’s not hard to see why. Although England’s Test captain didn’t enter the IPL auction this year, preferring to prepare for the 50 Over world cup instead, it’s hard to imagine he would have got picked up had he entered it. In truth, the struggles of Joe Root in T20 in general – not just the Big Bash – are nothing new.
The England management will be hoping this doesn’t dent his confidence further. Root didn’t have a great start to the summer of 2018 in England, and it is possible his IPL auction humiliation might have played a part in this.
With the 2019 50 Over World Cup starting in England at the end of May, followed by the Ashes, the last thing England need is an out of form Root, with his confidence dented.
Root Fought Back To Lead England To Victory Over India
In fairness to Root, his form and (test) captaincy did improve no end last summer, resulting in the 4-1 series win over India. This has been followed up by England’s impressive 3-0 Test series win away in Sri Lanka. Root will lead England to West Indies for another 3 Test series later this month, where he will be hoping to keep that run going.
The ability to focus on the positives of what has happened to Root’s career over the past 12 to 18 months will be important. If Root can do that, and put the bad experiences out of his head, he should hopefully be okay.
He also has to bear in mind that his main struggles have come in the T20 format. Obviously the 50 Over world cup, and Ashes, aren’t played over this format.
Looking ahead to the world cup and the Ashes from a betting perspective, and it makes good reading for England. The Three Lions are favourites to win both, and despite winning both being a big ask, it is possible with this group of players.
Cricket World Cup Betting
In the cricket world cup, England are 5/2 favourites to win the tournament, with India second favourites at 7/2. As well as betting on the outright winner, you can also bet on the top run scorer and top wicket taker. The betting markets available on cricket these days are endless.
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England Favourites In Ashes Betting
After the cricket world cup, it’s onto the Ashes, so it’s not hard to see why Joe Root’s form is so important to England. A fit and firing Joe Root makes England’s prospects much healthier.
A few short months ago, the Aussies were the favourites for the Ashes. How quickly things can change. A few rubs of sandpaper later, and suddenly Australian cricket is in turmoil.
The fall out from this has been spectacular, and who knows when it will finish. Recent events have seen Cameron Bancroft and Steven Smith point the finger of blame more towards David Warner, and who knows how he might reply?
Add to that, the home series defeat to India, problems with the batting, a loss of form for Mitchell Starc, and you can see cracks appearing all over the place. Even when Smith (and probably Warner) do come back, they will be massively in the spot light. They know their actions in Cape Town were the catalyst for the current malaise Australian cricket finds itself in. So the pressure will be on them to perform and repair things when they do return.
In Ashes betting, the Poms are also the favourites. At the moment they are 10/11 to win the series outright. Australia are 2/1 to win, with a drawn series at 6/1. To retain the Ashes, Australia are 10/11.
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