Boland targets Root as Australia’s key wicket ahead of Ashes 2025-26 opener

Fast bowler Scott Boland has identified Joe Root as the key England batter Australia will look to contain in the upcoming Ashes, with the series opener scheduled for 21 November at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Australia have long had a tradition of singling out influential English players, Glenn McGrath famously targeted key batters before each Ashes encounter, while former captain Michael Clarke instructed his bowlers to neutralise Alastair Cook during the 5-0 whitewash in 2013-14.

With the opening Test in Perth starting November 21, Root has again become a focal point in local discussions, especially given that he has yet to score a Test century in Australia.

“You always want to take down the best players. In the past, when Joe Root was captain, you wanted to try to make sure they had as little impact as you can. England have quite a few good batters we'll be looking to do that to,” Boland was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Boland, who dismissed Root four times during England's most recent Ashes tour, added, “Hopefully we can keep Joe Root and the guys in the middle-order pretty quiet.”