"We shouldn’t have gone last time" - Joe Root on Covid-affected 2021-22 Ashes series
England's ace batter Joe Root reckons his side shouldn't have traveled to Australia for the 2021-22 Ashes series amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the right-handed batter remains optimistic that England will do well Down Under next year, given they know what they need to do to succeed.
England had a torrid Ashes tour in late 2021 through to early 2022, losing the five-match series 4-0. With the threat of COVID-19 also looming, not only did Aussie players get affected but also the English contingent, including coach Chris Silverwood who had to remain in isolation.
Speaking to the reporters on Saturday, Root said he is looking forward to next year's Ashes as much as Ben Stokes and reckons England's execution of their plans will be vital. As quoted by BBC Sport, the former captain said:
"Thinking of Covid, it was about keeping the lights on last time we went. Arguably, we shouldn’t have gone last time, should we in retrospect? We'll be in a completely different place going into next time.
"You can plan and you can have all the best intentions of getting a result but it still has to fall into place. You need all your bowlers fit and firing, and the guys in good form scoring runs, so that's what we've got to build towards over the next couple of years."
The Yorkshire batter had captained England in their last two Ashes tours but lost both series 4-0. He also only managed a draw when the series took place on English soil in 2019.
"I'll terribly miss playing alongside him" - Joe Root on James Anderson
With record-breaking seamer James Anderson retiring from international cricket, Root said it would feel weird without him and Stuart Broad moving forward. The 33-year-old claimed, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
"For me, all I've ever known for England is playing alongside Jimmy and that's been for 12 years. It's a bit of a weird one, seeing Stuart [Broad] go last year and [now] Jimmy.
"I'll terribly miss playing alongside him but the fact that he'll be around for the summer will be great for the young bowlers coming through and for us to keep using that experience and everything else he has to offer the dressing room."
England won the first Test against the West Indies comfortably, with the second match beginning on July 18 in Nottingham.