Joe Root to average more than 150 in Ashes 2025-26 and England to win 3-1: Ex-England pacer

Former England pacer Steve Harmison has predicted the England talismanic batter Joe Root to have an exceptional Ashes series against Australia Down Under, which is commencing on November 21 in Perth.

Speaking exclusively on Fox Cricket, Harmison stated that Root will average more than 150 in the forthcoming Ashes campaign. Moreover, he predicted Root to score more than one century in the five-match series.

"People have been telling me for two years that Joe Root is coming over to Australia to average 50. He's not. I think he's coming over to average 150. I really do," Harmison said.

For the unversed, Root is also closing on Sachin Tendulkar's record tally of 15,921 Test runs. Harmison also reckoned that Root can surpass Alastair Cook's 766-run tally from England's 2010-11 Ashes win.

"The way he's playing and the mindset he's in — you could stake your mortgage on Joe Root scoring at least one hundred. It wouldn't surprise me if he went past what Cook did in 2010-11," he added.

"I'm backing England to come here and sledge Australia, and Joe Root to have the best series he's had in a long time. Where Joe is mentally, and with Cummins out, I think he'll flourish. He's vulnerable for the first 15-20 balls, but after that, he just keeps accumulating," he stated.

"England doesn't fear Australia anymore. I don't think there's fear in the world with the way these young players approach the game," he concluded.

For the uninitiated, England failed to win the Ashes since 2015, with Aussies bagging wins in two out of the last four editions and drawing twice in England in 2019 and 2023. The former pacer also predicted a 3-1 series win for the visitors in the much-awaited Ashes series.

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