Joe Root Aims for First Century in Australia During Upcoming Ashes Series

Joe Root's Ambition for the Ashes

Star English cricketer Joe Root is setting his sights on achieving his inaugural century in Australia as his team prepares for the Ashes series, which kicks off on November 21 in Perth.

This five-match series is pivotal for both teams in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) race. The English team, having recently drawn a series against a revamped Indian squad led by Shubman Gill, is eager to secure their first Ashes victory in Australia since 2011 and their first overall since 2015, when they triumphed 3-2 at home.

To achieve this goal, it is crucial for Root, who has accumulated 22 centuries since 2021, to maintain his impressive form and secure some triple-figure scores in Australia, a feat he has yet to accomplish.

Root's Century Drought in Australia

In his 14 previous Tests against Australia, Root has not only failed to win but has also not scored a century, which is a concern as he heads into the tour. He has recorded nine half-centuries, averaging 35.68, with a total of 892 runs across 14 matches and 27 innings. Despite having three scores in the 80s and a highest score of 89, he has been unfortunate not to reach the milestone in Australian conditions.

During the last Ashes tour, where England suffered a 4-0 defeat, Root was the top scorer for his team, amassing 322 runs in five matches and 10 innings at an average of 32.20, including three fifties. He ranked as the third-highest run-scorer overall.

Root's Readiness for the Challenge

As reported by ICC, Root expressed, "Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd Test caps under my belt, I feel I could not be more ready for it."

He added, "The thing that stands out for me is I probably wanted a century way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important."

The upcoming tour is vital for England's aspirations to qualify for their first World Test Championship Final, as they currently sit in fourth place in the standings. Achieving positive results in Australia is essential, and Root believes the team is better equipped this time compared to previous visits.

Reflections on Past Ashes Tours

Reflecting on his previous Ashes tours, Root mentioned, "There were a lot of distractions." He recalled his captaincy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021-22, as well as incidents involving teammates Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow.

This time, he aims to enjoy the tour for what it is, appreciating Australia as a beautiful country and a fantastic venue for cricket. He concluded, "I know if I put my best performances in, then everything else will look after itself."

Joe Root's Ashes Performance Overview

Root ranks as the 17th highest run-scorer in Ashes history, with 2,428 runs from 34 Tests and 65 innings, averaging 40.46. His record includes four centuries and 18 fifties, with a personal best of 180. In the last Ashes series held at home in 2023, he scored 412 runs at an average of 51.50, featuring one century and two half-centuries across nine innings, making him the third-highest run-scorer in that series, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Ashes Series Schedule

First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-25

Second Test: Gabba, December 4-8

Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21

Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30

Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8.