Ashes 2019 | Joe Root set to bat at number three in first Test

England will be up against a determined Australian outfit who will hope to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup outing, having lost the semi-final to the Three Lions. Joe Root & Co. will hope to avenge their humiliating Ashes series lost last year as a majestic Steven Smith-led side made their way to a clean sweep on home soil. 

Ahead of the first Test match of the series England Test captain Joe Root is touted to return to the number three spot in the English batting line-up. 

Root, who averages 40.47 in 40 innings, has not batted at three since the fourth Test against India last year. Roy has been vocal about his preference of batting at number four where he averages 48.00, but has accepted it would be beneficial to the team to separate a top three of Joe Denly, Rory Burns and Jason Roy who have just 11 Tests between them.

As a result of Root's promotion up the order, Denly is likely to be moved to four, while World Cup hero Jason Roy and Rory Burns will most likely for the opening partnership. Meanwhile, highly rated pacer Jofra Archer is expected to make his much awaited Test debut in the opening match of the series on August 1.