ICC World Test Championship: How well did the 'Fab Four' perform in their first series

#4. Joe Root

Joe Root had a mixed Ashes series.

Two of the 'Fab Four' featured in the opening game of the ICC World Test Championship when England took on the rivals Australia in the highly contested Ashes series. While Steve Smith had an exceptional Ashes, England skipper Joe Root had an average one by his standards, though he got a few decent scores

Joe Root started with a half-century in the first innings but didn't go further on. That was his story throughout the series. He failed to convert those starts into a big scores which is expected from a player of his calibre. He recorded three ducks in the series and was at the centre of the criticism.

Root scored 325 runs in 10 innings at an average of 32.50 with four half-centuries to his name. Root failed to lived up to the expectations of bringing back the Ashes home. The English media and former players questioned his captaincy and even suggested to replace him as a captain.

With his four half-centuries and a couple of decent starts, Root promised a lot in the series. England, however, failed to win the Ashes at home since 2001,but levelled the series 2-2. Root now has his task cut out for the rest of the season as he has a point to prove. With away tours of New Zealand and India in the reckoning, Root will be eager to get his momentum right and silence his critics.