With Australia’s World Test Championship hopes resting on Joe Root’s men drawing a series they trail 2-1, it’s a difficult time for fans who would happily back North Korea against England
“It feels bloody terrible,” he said, head bowed over his pint. “Suddenly everything gets turned upside down. I don’t know how to feel about it.” Picture a couple of men huddled over a table in the corner of a pub – there have been millions of variations of a conversation like this. In the beer garden of the Great Northern hotel in Melbourne last week, though, I was offering solace to a friend about having to support England in a cricket match.
The World Test Championship final in June will feature two teams who qualify based on their win-draw-loss percentage in their relevant matches. New Zealand have secured their place in the final, with the remaining place being between Australia and India. India will pip Australia to the spot by beating or drawing with England in the final match of their ongoing series, currently led by India 2-1. So Australia need England to win instead; one half of the Ashes rivalry relying on the other.
Related: Joe Root urges England to deliver 'monumental' end to India series
Continue reading...