Published: Dec 18, 2017, 09:13 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 18, 2017, 09:13 PM (IST)
Graeme Swann slammed England skipper Joe Root and former captain Alastair Cook for doing “next to nothing” as the side conceded The Ashes to arch-rivals Australia at Perth. England lost by an innings and 41 runs in the recently concluded third Test. England had regained the urn in 2015 courtesy a 3-2 victory at home. However, they have now lost four consecutive Tests to Australia (they lost the inconsequential final Test in 2015 edition). Swann believes the reason for debacle is under-performing seniors like Cook, Moeen Ali amongst others. While Cook has scored 83 runs at 13.83, Root has got 176 at 29.33. Moeen has averaged under 20 and his bowling average reads 105.33.
“The senior guys who you expect to stand up and outshine the rookies have done the exact opposite. Joe Root and Alastair Cook have done next to nothing. The shining lights have been Rocky (Mark) Stoneman and Dawid Malan. England do have a settled side if Ben Stokes is around but when he’s not, this team came over very weak,” the former off-spinner was quoted in a report from Reuters.
Good crop of youngsters
Swann continued to praise the newcomers in the England side.
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“I’m proud of the way some of the guys have played. Dawid Malan was sensational, James Vince was only dismissed by the best ball I’ve ever seen in a game. There are positives, I expected to be 3-0 down after three games once Stokes wasn’t coming,” he added.
