Good luck Joe Root! Now how do you think England will fair in the 2017 Ashes against Australia?

JOE ROOT'S batting brilliance is already well-established '“ the young Tyke is regarded as one of the world's foremost cricketers thanks to his all-round flair.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Nov 2017, 11:46 BST

Updated 12th Dec 2017, 09:41 BST

However he will join cricket’s all-time greats if he can skipper England to an Ashes triumph against Australia, with the Test series beginning in tomorrow’s early hours.

In doing so, both Root, and his Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow, carry the hopes and good wishes of all cricket devotees here ahead of their sport’s ultimate test.

However the question closer to home is how best to follow progress in the early hours. Go to bed early; avoid the score and watch the action ‘live’ on delayed TV or drift in and out of consciousness to the gentle radio accompaniment of Test Match Special?

As each cricket fan prepares their own routine with the type of precision that Root shows at the crease, let’s just hope that they wake up, at whatever time of day, to some good news from Down Under. No pressure Joe, but Britain needs cheering up.