Sheffield: England batter Joe Root says he feels “better placed than ever” to finally score a Test century in Australia as he prepares for what he described as a “mentally fatiguing” Ashes series later this year. The 34-year-old, playing his fourth Ashes series Down Under, acknowledged that questions about his failure to register a century in Australia will resurface but stressed his focus remains on helping England reclaim the urn.
“I feel I am in a different place to when I last went out there. I haven’t got the responsibility of captaincy and I am a lot more experienced. I have had a good couple of years coming in and I have learned good lessons from my previous tours there as a batter and senior player,” Root told Sky Sports at a celebrity padel event in Sheffield.
Root’s highest score in Australia remains 89, made in Brisbane during the 2021–22 series, despite hitting nine fifties across three tours. With 39 Test hundreds—behind only Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting—Root believes this tour could be his breakthrough.
“I am sure there is going to be a lot of talk around me not scoring a hundred as of yet, but I feel ready for it. Big series are the ones you want to play in and contribute in. You want to create memories with the guys that you can share for the rest of your lives. I feel that is the opportunity in front of us that we have to chase and grab,” he said.
While personal milestones are on his mind, Root emphasised that team success takes priority.
“If I am doing my role in the team then personal accolades will come, but it’s not the main focus. It’s about winning that urn back as it has been a long time since we held it. I feel we have some serious resources to take out there and hit Australia with. Hopefully, we can get that right so if I am scoring heavily it gives us a chance.”
Reflecting on England’s 2–2 home series draw against India, Root said it provided ideal preparation for the intensity of the Ashes.
“We got a small idea of what it is going to be like when we played against India—another huge series—so you are sort of ready for the extra stuff that sits around the games. We can take a lot of learnings into The Ashes. There are extra bits. The mental fatigue, a lot of cricket in a short space of time. It can take its toll mentally as well as physically so you have to have your plans.”
Root also acknowledged that Australia’s superior adaptation to conditions has been a challenge in the past.
“On the last two tours, there were a number of games, for the first two or three days, that were pretty even before Australia pulled away from us, played the conditions better than us, had better resources than us in those conditions.”
He also praised England captain Ben Stokes, who is returning from a shoulder injury.
“He is looking good. You know he is not going to leave any stone unturned and that he will give himself every possible chance to be absolutely ready for everything that is asked of him physically and mentally. He is very determined for us to give the best account of ourselves.”
The Ashes series is set to begin November 21 in Perth, followed by a day-night Test in Brisbane on December 4, before moving to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Joe Root Confident Ahead Of Ashes: “Better Placed Than Ever” To Score First Test Century In Australia
