England bowler Jimmy Anderson ordered to take responsibility for Ashes performances after criticising coaches

Joe Root has told Jimmy Anderson to take responsibility for his own game, after England’s attack leader appeared to criticise the team’s coaching staff.

In his newspaper column on the eve of the Third Ashes Test, Anderson expressed frustration that coaches had not provided bowlers with the correct information before the first day of the Second Test at Adelaide.

After Root had won the toss, Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled too short in the opening overs, failing to make the most of early seam movement.

Anderson wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “It was an oversight from the players but also from the coaches who could have had an input, too, which is frustrating.”

England went on to lose the Test and go 2-0 down in the series.

Root said: “It is slightly harsh to blame the coaches. We got it wrong on the field. It’s easy to look back and say ‘try to bowl that bit fuller’.

“The relationship with the coaches has been really good. He [Anderson] might not have wanted it to come across as it did but the guys on the field are responsible for what we do out there. We have to be smarter; react quicker.”

Earlier this week, Root suggested that Anderson — vice-captain in the absence of Ben Stokes — might need to set a better example to younger players.

Anderson was doused in beer by Ben Duckett on a team night out. It is thought Duckett was not the only player behaving rowdily, however.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison is believed to have emailed all members of the touring party to remind them of their responsibilities, after the incidents involving Duckett and Jonny Bairstow.

Root has tried all week to steer the conversation towards cricket but finds himself frequently blindsided. If England lose here, the prospect of a third 5-0 whitewash in four tours Down Under will loom large.

The captain is adamant, however, England can do something special at the WACA. He added: “The real thing to hit home here is it’s an opportunity to create history.

“It’s a chance to flip the dynamics of this series on its head and if we do come away 2-1 from this game, it blows the series wide open.”