Joe Root told to give up captaincy if England don't win third Ashes Test

Geoff Boycott says the 28-year-old should stand-down as skipper if he cannot inspire his side to victory at Headingley.

Geoffrey Boycott has urged Joe Root to resign as captain if England fail to win the third Ashes Test at Headingley.

Australia only need to win one of the remaining three matches in the series to ensure they retain the urn, though they are without talismanic batsman Steve Smith for this game.

Under overcast skies perfect for bowling, England dismissed the tourists for 179 but struggled for periods despite the favourable conditions.

In reply, England lost six first-innings wickets on the second morning - including Root for a second consecutive duck - to allow Australia to claw their way back into the match.

Root is winless in his seven Tests as skipper against Australia and fellow-Yorkshireman Boycott - who skippered England in four Tests in 1977-78 - believes an extension of that run should lead to the end of his tenure.

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"He's got to start by winning a Test against Australia - he's had seven and not won one," he told Test Match Special.

"And if you can't win this one after winning the toss you won't get a better pitch to bowl on, overcast, murky, terrible day which is perfect for Headingley, and then the sun comes out. 

"Even if you say both teams are equal you have to win this one. If you don't win this you might as well give up the job. You might as well if you can't win this one if you win the toss in conditions like that and when it is sunny today. 

"Their best batsman (Smith) isn't playing as well. You couldn't ask for anything more, could you?"

Root, 28, has averaged 40.40 with the bat since succeeding Alastair Cook as skipper. In his last 14 Tests that return drop to 29.30.

But Boycott is concerned that Root lacks the instinct and tactical awareness to lead a side at Test level.

^{Joe Root has not won any of his seven Test in charge of England against Australia}

During Australia's first innings at Edgbaston, fielders were positioned on the boundary with the visitors nine wickets down.

And on day one in Leeds, England continued to position four fielders in the slip cordon even during David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne's 111-run stand for the third wicket - before Jofra Archer's 6-45 masked over the cracks.

"He has had moments when he hasn't grasped the nuances of the game and much of it is straight forward and some of it is a feeling," added Boycott

"If you have a feeling for it that is what it is all about. If you don't see those things when the game is getting away from you, Jofra Archer got it back but he might not have done."