Joe Root a new player under Bazball despite previous Ashes struggles in Australia, says batting coach

Marcus Trescothick has warned Australia it will face a different Joe Root this Ashes, with England's batting coach also confident the conditions will suit his side.

Root will begin this summer's Ashes as the world's top-ranked batter and one of just five players in England's squad to have played a Test in Australia before.

But the 34-year-old's troubles in Australia, with the former England captain yet to win a Test or score a century in 14 matches in the country, have put him under pressure.

Root arrived into Perth this week to headlines on the front page of the West Australian paper describing him as as "Average Joe", a "dud" and a "pretender".

But Trescothick was adamant past tours meant very little, given Root had averaged 58 since England adopted an attacking approach under Brendon McCullum.

"The way he's gone in the last couple of years will probably explain he's comfortable with what he's trying to do, how he's playing his game," the former England opener said.

"His game has gone to the next level and hence the reason where he is in the rankings.

"You would be very surprised if he doesn't carry on in that same sort of vein with the style of play and the type of player he is."

Trescothick also faced an early barrage from the Perth media on Tuesday, dead-batting a question on whether the Barmy Army was hypocritical for targeting Steve Smith given England's use of mints to alter the ball during the 2005 Ashes.

There has also been friendly fire from England greats ahead of this summer.

Ian Botham and Michael Vaughan have both questioned England's preparations, with a three-day intra-squad game at Lilac Hill the tourists' only warm-up.

Loading...

There are concerns Lilac Hill will offer nowhere near the same pace and bounce as Perth Stadium next Friday, while England's players have not played any red-ball cricket since early August.

"We're very happy with what we're getting," Trescothick said.

"We've had facilities here with the nets out in the middle, and we've got the preparation game here as well.

"We'll have three days of prep at [Perth Stadium] just to get used to pitches as we go along with that."

"With the volume of cricket that is played, you don't have the time for playing two or three first-class games like you've done in the past."

England have not won a Test in Australia since 2010-11, with the bounce in Australian pitches often a problem.

But Trescothick believed it could play into the tourists' hands this summer, even if wickets were greener and more lively.

"The pitches have generally evolved a bit in Australia, but you still expect them to be quick and bouncy," Trescothick said.

"Playing on bouncy pitches where the ball comes onto the bat nicely … suits our style of play."

Click here to read article