Ashes 2017/18: 5 England players to watch out for

#1 Joe Root

Root will captaining the side for the first time in Ashes and will play major role in the series

Joe Root will be captaining for the very first time in an Ashes series. He will be under immense pressure. However, such a situation can bring out the best from a talented player like him. He was Player of the Series during the last Ashes series after scoring 460 runs at an average of 57.60 including two centuries. In Australia, the right-hander does not have an impressive record.

Extra Cover: Top 5 controversies in Ashes history

Unlike the 2013/14 tour, Root is a settled batsman at Test level and has been scoring runs on a regular basis during more recent times. With the pitches expected to facilitate shot-making, the Yorkshireman has every reason to score plenty of runs. Aside from his presence in the middle-order, Root's captaincy skills will also be critical to England's fortunes in what could be a gruelling series.