Former Australian captain Ian Chappell says English skipper Joe Root doesn’t have a “great imagination” and isn’t “much of a captain”.
Australia and England are preparing to begin the much-anticipated Ashes series in Brisbane on Wednesday, with Root and Pat Cummins to captain the respective teams.
Chappell stressed that he was impressed by Root as a player, but thought England had better options as leaders.
“I think he’s a very good batsman but he’s not much of a captain,” he said on Sportsday.
“He doesn’t have a great imagination and I think that’s important in Australia.
“Pat Cummins will be a good captain, I think it will take him a while to get into the job but I think by the end of the series, I think Pat will be miles in front of Joe (Root) as a captain and if that’s the case, Australia will win pretty comfortably."
Chappell said he would rather see all-rounder Ben Stokes captain England, saying he had a “lot going for him”.
“I think Stokes would be a good captain,” he said.
“Aggressive players don’t always make good captains but I think Stokes has a lot going for him.
“He has a great cricket brain, he’s a great batsman and bowler and don’t underestimate his fielding.
“I think he would be a good captain and Joe Root would do well to listen to him.”