Ashes 2019: Skipper Root To Return to Number 3 Spot For Hosts In Opening Test

England coach Bayliss has long wanted Root, to bat at number three following a succession of top-order collapses that have seen the skipper walking out to bat at four when two cheap wickets have fallen.

England skipper Joe Root is all set to bat at Number 3 for his team in the Ashes opener against Australia after Joe Denly confirmed he will drop to number four in the match Root has previously made clear he prefers batting at four but the Yorkshireman is understood to have approached England coach Trevor Bayliss after last week's Test win over Ireland about returning to his old position of first-wicket down when the Ashes opener starts at Edgbaston on Thursday. Although England beat Ireland by skittling out the visitors for 38 in their second innings at Lord's, they only managed 85 all out themselves in their first innings. Bayliss has long wanted Root, now England's best batsman, to bat at number three following a succession of top-order collapses that have seen the skipper walking out to bat at four when two cheap wickets have fallen. Denly, speaking at Edgbaston on Tuesday, said: "Joe Root will bat at three and I'll be batting at four. "He rang me the other day and told me he wanted to bat three and for me to go in at four. I think Rooty just wanted to get involved in the game, get up there and get out in the middle. "I'm very excited. I wasn't too fussed where I'd be batting, it's just great to be in the eleven. I've batted at four before for Kent and throughout my career, so it really wasn't a big issue."