Joe Root Reflects on Ashes Tour: “We Shouldn’t Have Gone”

England’s last victorious Ashes series in Australia dates back to 2010/11. Since then, the team has faced three crushing defeats Down Under, including a 4-0 thrashing in the 2021/22 series. The tour was marred by harsh criticism of selection decisions, tactical errors, and the mental toll of COVID-19 quarantines.

Root’s Candid Admission

Former England captain Joe Root recently admitted that, in hindsight, the team might have been better off skipping the 2021/22 series. “Arguably, we shouldn’t have gone last time, should we, in retrospect?” Root told Wisden. He explained that the tour proceeded primarily to maintain the continuity of cricket during the pandemic.

Stuart Broad’s Perspective

Former fast bowler Stuart Broad echoed Root’s sentiments, suggesting that the series should be considered “void” due to the extraordinary circumstances. “Ashes cricket is about elite sport and passion, but nothing about that series was high-level because of COVID-19 restrictions. The training, travel, and lack of socializing made it far from the real thing,” Broad stated.

Looking Ahead

Despite past setbacks, Root remains optimistic about England’s prospects for the next Ashes series in 2025/26. “We’ll be in a completely different place next time. Success requires everything to fall into place: fit bowlers, in-form batsmen, and strategic planning over the next few years,” Root emphasized.

Building for the Future

Root also highlighted the importance of having all key players, including skipper Ben Stokes, fully fit and contributing at their peak. Stokes’ recent performance in the Test series against the West Indies, where he bowled at full capacity, bodes well for balancing the team and improving overall performance.

England’s cricketing journey continues with the hope of reclaiming Ashes glory, armed with lessons from past tours and a strategic vision for future success.