James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes target criticism from Joe Root after Ashes defeat

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Joe Root blamed England’s bowling attack on James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes after the tourists’ hopes were nearly dashed by a 275-point loss in the second test.

England started the final day in Adelaide, needing miraculous rearguard action to save a draw and while Jos Buttler’s 207-ball 26 took the game in the final session, the Australia never seemed to be denied a 2-0 lead.

This means England travel to Melbourne for Boxing Day test, requiring a historic reversal of fortunes to avoid a third straight loss in the Ashes Down Under series, and putting more pressure on Root and the head coach Chris Silverwood.

Relationships in the locker room could be even more strained in light of Root’s unusually direct criticism of his tailoring attack. Although he did not specifically name Anderson and Broad, it appeared that the captain was most frustrated with the new bowlers, whom he accused of playing the wrong length and not learning from them. ‘four years ago, when England were also well beaten in Adelaide.

“With the ball in hand we didn’t play the right lengths,” Root told the BBC. “We had to play more fully. As soon as we did it in the second set, we created chances. It’s frustrating. We did it four years ago and haven’t learned any lessons from it. We have to be better.

“We weren’t brave enough sometimes to put the ball up there. We have to be better for the next game.

“We have to be more courageous. We had to look to do like we did in Brisbane [in the first Test] also. As soon as we have done that, it is the benchmark for us to move forward. We have to watch these game passages and do it longer. We have to exploit the conditions.

Anderson and Broad returned to Adelaide’s side after being left out in the first test in favor of Mark Wood and spinner Jack Leach, but claimed just three wickets in 55 overs between them in the opening innings of the l ‘Australia.

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