England skipper Joe Root feels he would be “naive” to think the forthcoming Ashes won’t be the lasting memory of his tenure as the Test captain.
The Ashes, starting December 8 at the Gabba, will be Root’s third successive tour Down Under as player and second consecutive as captain. The last trip in 2017-2018 saw England get absolutely hammered by a 4-0 margin outside a dull draw on one of the flattest tracks at MCG.
Root understands the history attached to the Ashes contests better than most and believes if he can become one of the rare English captains to comeback with the urn, he will be remembered fondly for his work as a captain in the years to come.
“Absolutely it is, you look at how hard it has been for English captains and English teams over the years. It’s been something that doesn’t happen very often. Of course it will define my captaincy – I’m not naive enough to think that it won’t – but again, what a great opportunity.”
Root was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
The 30-year-old had earlier asked his men to be as mentally prepared for the challenge as possible, keeping in mind the fact that they’ve had their physical game-time preparations ruined because of the torrential rains around Gold Coast where England’s touring contingent has been based.
The skipper urged his side to be completely switched on come the first Test at Gabba, for historically, that is the ground that has usually set the tone up for England’s Ashes fortunes. England survived a fighting draw in Brisbane back in 2010-11 and went on to win the Ashes 3-1. But heavy defeats in 2013-14 and 2017-18 followed further hammerings and resulted in scorelines of 5-0 and 4-0.
The England skipper is pleased to have his premier allrounder and friend Ben Stokes back for the Ashes after he took an indefinite break in late July to overcome a mental health concern and completely resolve a finger injury. He missed the previous Ashes tour to Australia but is now back in the country where he first made a name for himself in Test cricket in the 2013-14 winters.
Root believes Stokes’ presence would help England win the “big moments” through the series, the charismatic cricketer being someone capable of giving England crucial breakthroughs with his skiddy right-arm pace and playing some exceptional knocks under pressure.
“Yeah, it has to be, absolutely it does. You look at some of the players, some of the individuals, some of the performances guys have put in … the senior guys have done it time and time again.”
“The junior guys have shown glimpses of what they can do and their potential. What better stage to really grab a series and make an announcement on the international stage. I’m an Ashes player and I want to live in the history of this great rivalry. That carrot is there for everyone.”
he said.
Personally as well, Root has a few scores to settle in Australia, having not made a century in his three trips. Root’s overall record versus the arch-rivals stands at 1,694 runs at 40.33 with three centuries.
But in Australia, that average drops to 38 over 17 innings with 570 runs but no hundreds. Root has made six half-centuries Down Under, but for England’s sake, the skipper and the team’s best batter will have to convert a few of his fifties into big hundreds.
