Ashes 2017-18: Five major factors that could decide the third Test

#4 Form of captains Smith and Root

Who will come out on top in the third Test?

The tussle between the captains of the two sides has been a great subplot.

Steven Smith rescued Australia with his Man of the Match performance at the Gabba while Joe Root raised hopes of an unlikely England victory at Adelaide until the final morning.

So, once again, all eyes will be on their batting contributions and more importantly, tactics on the field. Both made dubious decisions in the second Test; Root elected to bowl first after winning the toss while Smith didn’t enforce the follow-on despite having England on the ropes.