Accomodation

This week has been possibly the most hyperbolic week in the history of sports media coverage, ever. Quotes such as 'worst English display' and 'lowest point in English cricket' have been banded about as though the 2006-07 series never happened. And although England's second innings in Melbourne was dreadful, it was nothing compared to six years ago at Adelaide, when the whole team fell onto a Shane Warne shaped sword whilst batting on the M1.

Worst of all the criticism in my opinion, is that being thrown at Kevin Pietersen. Yes he may be having an average series, but he is one of the few England players that occasionally looks comfortable against a fine Australian attack. And yet these same denouncers of character seem to think Joe Root is the ultimate answer, and should be yet again moved down the order to accommodate his shortcomings.

Now obviously the caveat must be stated - Root is the brightest prospect in English cricket, and has already shown that talent at international level. However, the stats will show he has the lowest average in the top six, and apart from a great innings Adelaide has looked defensive and vulnerable. And now column inches are being dedicated to the idea of him dropping down to five with Ian Bell moving up the order to shield Root from the new ball. Madness.

There are few sides in the world that would sacrifice a performing Senior player in order to possibly help a struggling Junior. Ian Bell, like Michael Clarke, bats better at five, is good against spin and will inevitably move up to four when Pietersen retires. It would be foolish to risk him against the new ball and impart further woes onto an already struggling batting line-up.

Joe Root should not be mollycoddled. Alastair Cook faced similar problems to Root early in his career; being predominantly a back-foot player he struggled (and is struggling again) with the full ball outside off-stump. But he was definite in his status as an opener, and so figured out a technique that allowed him to be the great player his is today. Root has been given the option of an easier life coming in later, and so constantly has a scapegoat, the excuse of 'well i'd be better down the order'.

He needs to adapt, or be replaced until he can fulfil the role England need him to fill - that of a top order player. There is time for him and easier opposition to come, I just hope England replace the right man, and don't put all their eggs into a soft future basket.