Former Australia captain Mark Taylor has said that rather than the unorthodox first innings declaration, England failed to do well with the bat in the second innings. None of them crossed the 50-run mark in the second innings and ended up posting a 281-run target, which Australia managed to chase down with two wickets in hand.

While talking about Root’s dismissal in the second innings, Mark Taylor wrote in his column for the Sydney Morning Herald: “If I’m going to be critical of England’s new and vibrant approach it’s their second innings batting. I thought the declaration late on day one was excellent given they’d made almost 400 and the second new ball was due. I thought that was bold, aggressive captaincy, which I applaud.”

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Taylor further added: “But Joe Root’s dismissal in the second innings, stumped on 46 when he looked set for a second hundred in the game, was a pivotal moment. His dismissal certainly opened up their middle to lower order and gave Australia a chance to get right back in the game, which they took. That’s where I’d be more critical than the declaration.”

While Australia eventually won the game, many were critical of Pat Cummins for going on the backfoot so early in the match. However, the second Ashes Test is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 28, at Lord’s. Australia have a 1-0 lead in the series with four matches left as well.

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“Many people talked about Australia’s defensive field settings on day one but looking at that pitch and the new ball, which didn’t do anything all game, I think the tactics of captain Pat Cummins were pretty good, apart from the morning of day one. I don’t think I would have been quite as defensive. I thought we pushed the field back on both sides a little too quickly. I wasn’t against pushing the point back because if we’re going to bowl in that corridor just outside off stump and batsmen hit through the line that’s where a lot of balls do go. But I was a bit worried we pushed the square leg back a little bit too early for my liking and there were too many singles picked up from good balls on the stumps,” he concluded.