If the pitch does spin, Joe Root is not a bowler to ignore: Michael Atherton

Ahead of Day 5 of the ongoing first Ashes Test, former England skipper Michael Atherton stated if the pitch favours the spinners, then skipper Ben Stokes should definitely try Joe Root with the ball. The 55-year-old reminded that Root can be a handy bowler as he has over 60 wickets in the longest format of the game.

Notably, Moeen Ali has not been very influential on his return to Test cricket. Thus, Atherton backed Root to get the job done as the number six ranked Test batter is also very accurate with his line and length in red ball cricket.

“You hope Moeen can bowl through the pain because we saw some serious turn for Lyon. He is not as accurate as Lyon, not as good a bowler, but he is as big a spinner of the ball as him,” Atherton told BBC Sport. “Don't forget Root's off-spin. He has nearly 60 Test wickets and is accurate. If the pitch does spin, he is not a bowler to ignore."

AB de Villiers analyses pitch conditions in Edgbaston

As per former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers, the pitch in Edgbaston will be tough for the Australia batters to score runs quickly as the ball has become softer. He also stated that the run rate is irrelevant and the batters will have to play to their potential.

“Hint of reverse swing. Tough to score. Eng’s done very well to get the ball soft. Crowd’s gone quiet and Aus will soon get a chance to grab some momentum if they stick to their guns. I hear lots of talk about the run rate. Irrelevant imo. You have to play the situation. Opportunity will present itself if you absorb for long enough. It takes a good batter to identify that moment,” de Villiers tweeted.

Hint of reverse swing. Tough to score. Eng’s done very well to get the ball soft.

Crowd’s gone quiet and Aus will soon get a chance to grab some momentum if they stick to their guns.

I hear lots of talk about the run rate. Irrelevant imo. You have to play the situation.…

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 20, 2023

Notably, Australia lost two quick wickets of Scott Boland and Travis Head in the second session of the day, after the first session was washed out due to rain and wet outfield.