Ashes 2021-22: England head coach Chris Silverwood has backed Joe Root’s criticism of his bowlers after the team’s 275-run defeat in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide on Monday. Follow Ashes 2021-22 Live on InsideSport.IN.
Ashes 2021-22: Chris Silverwood backs Joe Root’s comments on England bowlers, says ‘got no problem with what he said’
Root had conceded that the England pace unit consisting of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Ollie Robinson should have bowled fuller and not repeated the same mistake they committed four years ago.
“I don’t think we bowled the right lengths, If we’re being brutally honest, we needed to bowl fuller. As soon as we did in that second innings, we created chances. We need to do that more, we need to be a bit braver, get the ball up there a bit further because when we do, we’re going to create chances and make life difficult,” Root had said.
The 30-year-old has faced criticisms for his comment. In fact, Ricky Ponting has ripped into the Yorkshire star and asked why could he not demand his bowlers from doing what he expected of them as a captain.
Chris Silverwood has come to the rescue of Root, saying that fuller lengths from the bowlers could have created problems for the Australian batters.
“The captain is out there, he wants them to bowl a touch fuller, and when we did we caused problems. So I’ve got no problems with what he said.
“We have to be prepared to set fields that will give bowlers protection as well, and that’s what Joe was getting at – if you pitch it up a little bit you create problems,” Silverwood told BBC.
Silverwood also addressed talks around England’s team selection for the first two Tests, saying that he would pick the same two teams again regardless of the result which has seen the visitors go down 2-0 in the 5-Test series.
“There is always going to be divided opinion,” Silverwood told BBC Sport.
“You pick a team and not everybody’s going to agree with you.
“To be honest, I would (When asked by BBC correspondent if he would pick the same teams for the two teams again”
“I was happy with the skillset we had in the pink-ball Test, so I would pick the same team again,” Silverwood added.
However, Silverwood admitted that England were in dire need of posting handy scores on the board, hinting that out-of-form batters might make way for those waiting for their chance.
“We need runs and that’s the top and bottom of it.
“How do we get 400 on the table first up? All options are on the table,” he said.
Ashes 2021-22: Chris Silverwood backs Joe Root’s comments on England bowlers, says ‘got no problem with what he said’
Editors pick
