Chris Stocks looks at the importance of the duel between skippers Steve Smith and Joe Root

When England first arrived in Australia just under three weeks ago, it is no co-incidence that one of Joe Root’s first acts on tour was to offer a strong rebuke to opposing captain Steve Smith.
In the days leading up to England’s departure, Smith, referencing Australia’s 5-0 whitewash in the last Ashes series here four years ago, had said: “The first Test match is going to be really important. We need to set the tone again and hopefully get them on a similar ...