Ashes 2019, England vs Australia: Joe Root and Steve Smith won’t decide who wins Ashes – AB de Villiers

The blockbuster five-match Test series begins in Birmingham on Thursday with Australia looking to end their 18-year dry spell in England.

Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers feels wicket-keeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow will finish as the top run-getter in the upcoming Ashes series. The blockbuster five-match Test series begins in Birmingham on Thursday with Australia looking to end their 18-year dry spell in England.

File image of Steve Smith and Joe Root. (REUTERS)

De Villiers believes Bairstow will finish at the top of pile, ahead of the likes of Joe Root and Steve Smith in the top run-scorers list. Although Bairstow was in great form in England’s World Cup winning campaign, he scored couple of ducks in the one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s recently.

“The biggest run-scorer, I feel, is going to be Bairstow,” de Villiers told BBC. “He has been in incredible form and I feel he has taken his cricket to the next level.”

The former South African captain also stated that Smith and Root won’t decide which team goes on to win the Ashes. Lauding both cricketers as leaders, de Villiers said Root will enjoy a small advantage over Smith, considering England will be playing at home.

“Both are very talented players, but I don’t feel it will come down to the two of them to decide who is going to win the Ashes series.” De Villiers said.

“But both have captaincy experience, are big leaders and are big characters in their respective teams. I feel both teams need the two of them to have a big series. Root, playing at home, will have the slight advantage.”