'Failure': How Steve Smith exposed brutal truth about Joe Root

Steve Smith’s heroics in the first Ashes Test have further exposed a harsh reality about Joe Root.

Smith’s twin centuries led Australia to a commanding 251-run win at Edgbaston and a 1-0 lead, scoring 142 and 144.

Root on the other hand was powerless to spark his side, scoring 57 and 28.

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His first innings half-century marked the 58th time he’s passed 50 in Tests, however he’s only converted that to triple figures 16 times.

The 42 half-centuries compared to 16 centuries is a very poor conversion rate compared to the game’s elite batsmen.

Smith’s twin centuries gave him 25 for his Test career, against 24 half-centuries.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, the World No.1 batsman as of right now, has 25 and 20.

While Smith averages 62.96 (the highest average of anyone since Don Bradman) and Kohli 53.76, Root’s average is 48.94.

And it’s not just his ability to convert starts into centuries that’s come under fire, with the UK media criticising Root’s captaincy as well.

"Joe Root's leadership, as well as his failure to convert starts like Steve Smith, must come under scrutiny,” Paul Newman wrote for the Daily Mail.

“His captaincy was a little limp at Edgbaston in comparison to that of Smith, who was clearly leading Australia on the field just as much as he did with the bat.

"The England captain did not stick to any one plan against Smith, and his leadership was summed up on the fourth day when he ignored Chris Woakes throughout the morning, only to bring him on to bowl immediately after lunch.”

Isabelle Westbury of the Telegraph also compared Root to Smith.

"Smith without the burden of captaincy is scoring tons, not just runs, for fun. Might Root do the same?" Westbury wrote.

"Failing to bowl Woakes before lunch on day four, but bringing him on immediately after, spoke of a man who was being told what to do, not leading those around him."

His role in the decision to play Jimmy Anderson under an injury cloud was also questioned.

Where to now for England?

Nathan Lyon's bunny Moeen Ali faces the axe as England's selectors mull how to piece together a team capable of squaring the Ashes series at Lord's.

Root defended the selection of an underdone Anderson, who re-injured his right calf after four overs on day one, and promised selectors will "not make too many emotional decisions" in the aftermath of a "frustrating" defeat at Edgbaston.

One-day opener Jason Roy's ungainly dismissal to Lyon, in which he was clean bowled after skipping down the pitch, would have done little to convince selectors he can successfully make the leap to the longest format.

Jofra Archer is likely to be promoted with Anderson ruled out, after the would-be Test debutant terrorised Gloucestershire’s second XI on Tuesday.

Moeen, whose struggles on day four were made to look even poorer by the way Lyon spun Australia to victory on Monday, may also make way for left-arm tweaker Jack Leach in the Lord's match.

When pressed on Moeen, Root failed to guarantee the offspinning allrounder will face Australia next week.

"Moeen didn't have his best day yesterday, Root said.

"You've got to remember how threatening he can be and what an asset he has been to this team in the past.

"Whenever written off before, he generally comes back stronger. Especially in English conditions.

"He'll be a bit disappointed ... but I'm sure he'll dust himself down and make sure he's in a good headspace going into Lord's."

Moeen struggled with bat and ball in his hometown of Birmingham, twice falling to Lyon while recording match figures of 3-172.

with AAP