Ashes 2019: Four reasons why England have failed to regain the urn

#3. Root’s promotion to No. 3

Joe Root.

England’s Test captain and one of the best batsman of this generation Joe Root was doing pretty well at his customary No 4 position in the longer format.

The right-hander decided to promote himself to No. 3 ahead of the series in order to strengthen the top-order which was looking very weak. However, Root has struggled to cope with the new ball because he has to come in early on most occasions due to the poor form of openers.

Root’s technical glitches on the front foot early on in the innings have been found out by the Aussie quicks and have made life difficult for the English captain.

It will now be interesting to see if he decides to go back to his usual No. 4 for the final Test or persist for one more time at the promoted batting position.

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#2. England’s back-up bowlers

Jack Leach.

It's the collective bowling group that will win Test matches, especially fast bowlers will have to hunt in packs in a five-match series played over six weeks.

After Anderson’s loss, young tearaway Jofra Archer was included to partner Stuart Broad and has had tremendous success so far in his short Test career.

But the problem for England has been their follow-up bowlers after the opening bursts of Broad and Archer. In each Test, these two new ball bowlers have been getting the Australian top order pretty cheaply only for the others to ease the pressure off with some lacklustre bowling.

Craig Overton was preferred to Chris Woakes as the third seamer in Old Trafford but he was not at all someone who could run through sides at Test match level.

In the spin department, off spinner Moeen Ali was dropped after the first Test. Left-arm spin option of Jack Leach was preferred thereafter but he is once again a bowler who can hold one end up rather than be the aggressor.

On the other hand, Australia have been blessed to have 5 fast bowlers in top form and full fitness. The selectors and coach were so confident that they decided to rest Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the first Test at Edgbaston.

Jofra Archer has been impressive.