Adelaide, Dec 14: England are turning to the memories of their stirring Ashes comeback in 2023 as they attempt to arrest the slide in the ongoing series against Australia, with senior batter Joe Root insisting that belief within the camp remains intact despite the daunting scoreline.
Trailing 0-2 after successive eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane, England find themselves in a must-win situation ahead of the third Test, which begins in Adelaide on Wednesday. Another loss would not only hand Australia the Ashes but also underline England’s prolonged struggles on Australian soil, where their last series triumph dates back to the memorable 2010–11 tour under Andrew Strauss.
Yet, Root believes the current group can draw confidence from their recent past. England, under Ben Stokes, had shown remarkable resilience during the 2023 Ashes at home, clawing their way back from a 0-2 deficit to level the series 2-2. That contest could even have swung England’s way but for persistent rain at Old Trafford, which denied them a potential series-winning result.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Root said that a single win at this stage could dramatically alter the narrative of the series. “The whole complexion of the series changes if we win this week,” he remarked, stressing that the lessons from two years ago still hold relevance. While acknowledging that the 2023 fightback came in English conditions, Root maintained that the fundamentals of the game remain unchanged.
“The way we played from Headingley onwards, it was like a completely different team,” Root said. “It’s easy to forget that. Conditions might be different here, but cricket doesn’t change.” He went on to explain that Australian conditions, in some ways, simplify the challenge, with less swing on offer and pitches that tend to hold together longer than those back home.Root has been England’s standout performer so far in the series, emerging as the only visiting batter to average over 30. His recent Ashes century on Australian soil — the first of his career — has further bolstered England’s hopes as they head into a crucial Test. According to Root, England have shown flashes of their potential but have failed to sustain it for long enough.
“When we’ve got it right, we’ve looked very dangerous,” he said. “The key is doing it for longer periods. That’s what Test cricket here demands.” He underlined the mental toughness required to succeed in Australia, echoing captain Ben Stokes’ post-match comment after the Gabba defeat that the country is “no place for weak men”.
Root felt that statement accurately captured the demands of touring Australia. “To win here, you have to handle big moments,” he said, adding that resilience and the ability to absorb pressure are non-negotiable traits. He remained confident that the current England squad possesses those qualities, even if they have not consistently displayed them yet.With the series hanging in the balance, Root urged his side to embrace the challenge rather than shy away from it. Ashes campaign. (Agencies)
