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Steve Harmison's Bold Ashes Prediction: Root to Average 150, England 3-1

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has made some explosive predictions for the upcoming Ashes series. He believes Joe Root will completely dominate the Australian bowlers and average an incredible 150 runs. Harmison is so confident in England's chances that he's predicting a 3-1 series victory for the visitors. This would mark England's first Ashes win in Australia since their famous 2010-11 triumph.

Key Points: Steve Harmison Predicts Joe Root Ashes Dominance and England Win

  • Joe Root predicted to break century drought in Australia after 14 Tests
  • Harmison backs England for 3-1 series victory after 15-year wait
  • Root could surpass Alastair Cook's 776-run record from 2010-11 series
  • Pat Cummins' potential absence seen as advantage for England in Perth
3 min read

Root to average 150, England to win Ashes 3-1: Former speedster Steve Harmison drops bold predictions

Former England speedster Steve Harmison makes stunning Ashes predictions - Joe Root to average 150 and England to win 3-1 in Australia after 15-year drought.

"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. - Steve Harmison"

New Delhi, October 16

Australia's tormentor in the 2005 Ashes, former speedster Steve Harmison, has predicted that England's talismanic batter, Joe Root, will break his century hoodoo down under and be instrumental in bringing the urn home for the first time since 2015. Harmison was speaking to Fox Cricket Australia.

Root, who has walloped four centuries against Australia on home soil, is on the track to break 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar's record for the highest runs in Test cricket. Harmison believes the 34-year-old's exploits in the upcoming Ashes would take him a lot closer to the legendary Indian batter's tally of 15,921 runs.

"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 as quoted from Fox Cricket.

Root has returned without a hundred in 14 Tests down under. Despite the staggering statistics, the 46-year-old feels that Root's command of his form in his mid-30s could take him past former opener Alastair Cook's tally of 776 runs that he mustered up during the Three Lions series win in Australia in 2010-11.

"The way he is playing. The mindset he is in. You can have your mortgage on Joe Root scoring at least one hundred. It would not surprise me if he went past what Cook did in 2010-11," he added.

With Australia captain Pat Cummins on the verge of missing the series opener in Perth on November 21 due to a lumbar bone stress in his lower back, Harmison expects Root to fare well at the Optus Stadium. Harmison isn't buying into the notion that England is afraid of Australia. He has backed the Three Lions to notch their first series win in Australia after 15 years with a 3-1 scoreline.

"I am backing England, maybe like 3-1 to come to Australia and sledge Australia and Joe Root to have the best series he has had for a long time. I am that confident England will win," Harmison said.

"Where Joe is at with his mentality and the fact that Cummins is out, I mean Joe is vulnerable the first 15 to 20 balls in Australian conditions, but after that he just keeps accumulating. England doesn't fear Australia. I don't think there's a fear in the world anymore, the way the young players go," Harmison concluded.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Average 150? That's way too optimistic! Even Kohli at his peak didn't average that high in a series. Harmison is being overly emotional about his fellow Englishman. Let's see what actually happens on the bouncy Australian pitches.
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Arjun K
England winning 3-1 in Australia? With their current bowling attack? I don't see it happening. Australian conditions are completely different and their pace attack is lethal even without Cummins. Harmison needs to be more realistic yaar.
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Sarah B
Root is a class player, no doubt. But predicting an average of 150 is just setting him up for failure. Even the greatest batsmen have their off days. Hope he proves Harmison right though - would be amazing to watch!
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Vikram M
As an Indian cricket enthusiast, I love watching Root bat - such elegant technique! But breaking Sachin's record will take more than one good Ashes series. Still, wishing him the best - cricket needs such quality batsmen. 🙏
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Michael C
Harmison's predictions seem more like wishful thinking than analysis. England haven't won in Australia since 2010-11, and that was a very different team. The Aussies at home are a completely different beast.

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