Joe Root, despite battling a “stinking cold,” is brimming with anticipation as he prepares for the upcoming Ashes series. Speaking via Zoom, a platform he became all too familiar with during his captaincy tenure amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Root reflects on his past Ashes experiences and his ambitions for the series.
The Joe Root of the 2021-22 Ashes tour appeared worn out and frustrated, a stark contrast to the eager player ready to face Australia once more. England had played more Test cricket under pandemic conditions than any other team, while Australia entered the series comparatively fresh. The challenges were compounded by repeated errors, both from his team and himself, particularly with deliveries through the gully and third-man regions on Australia’s bouncy pitches.
Root’s Australian Challenge
Root’s performance in Australia has often been scrutinized, with former Australian coach Darren Lehmann highlighting his lack of centuries down under when comparing him to contemporaries like Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. Root, however, remains unfazed by such comparisons, focusing instead on his primary goal: scoring runs to help England win the Ashes.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. My job is to score runs, and I’ve got five brilliant opportunities to do that in this series.” — Joe Root
Reflecting on previous tours, Root candidly discusses the challenges faced. The 2013-14 tour ended in a 5-0 defeat, while the 2017-18 series was marred by off-field incidents. The last tour, during the pandemic, was particularly taxing, with the team playing over 20 Test matches in bio-secure environments.
Learning from the Past
Root recalls arriving in Sydney without a full coaching staff due to COVID-19 isolations, leaving him and a skeleton crew to manage the team. Despite these setbacks, he acknowledges Australia’s superiority in the series but emphasizes the invaluable experience gained.
Now, without the burden of captaincy, Root is poised to enjoy the tour and contribute significantly as a senior player in Ben Stokes’ team. He believes this change will allow him to approach the game with a clearer mind.
“This series is not about me, it’s about us winning an Ashes. If we win the series without me scoring a hundred, that would be the best achievement of my career.” — Joe Root
The Stokes Factor
Root’s relationship with Stokes is pivotal. As a former captain, Root appreciates the support Stokes provided, often putting his body on the line for the team. Now, Root sees it as his turn to repay the favor, contributing both on and off the field.
Root’s innovative batting, including the use of the ramp shot, reflects his strategic mindset. He explains the shot’s purpose is to disrupt the bowler’s rhythm, benefiting not just himself but the team as a whole.
“If it can create a little bit of chaos and take a bowler off their length, that can not only benefit you but the guy at the other end.” — Joe Root
Looking Ahead
With Pat Cummins absent from the first Test and Josh Hazlewood’s fitness in question, England has a chance to capitalize on Australia’s vulnerabilities. Root’s confidence in Stokes’ leadership and the supportive team environment is evident.
As the series approaches, Root remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from cricketing legends and focusing on positive, fearless play. He understands that success often hinges on maintaining a positive mindset, free from the fear of failure.
“It’s very hard for anyone to play well with fear of failure in their mind. One thing this group tries to do is how we can positively move the game in our favour.” — Joe Root
As Root prepares for what could be a career-defining series, his focus remains on team success, with personal milestones taking a backseat. The Ashes await, and Root is ready to seize the opportunity.
