The ODI series against South Africa is next in line but England’s Test captain is already looking ahead to the big prize in Australia
Joe Root returns to England duty on Friday in the first one‑day international against South Africa but he is honest enough to admit the 2021-22 Ashes series – “the opportunity of a lifetime” – is occupying plenty of head space.
Root was not part of England’s 3-0 win in the Twenty20 series, but the 29-year-old still harbours a burning ambition to make the squad for October’s World Cup. He believes trying to match the power-hitters has been detrimental to him and now hopes his finesse will prevail. However, Test cricket remains the primary focus and Root remains on course to become the first Englishman since Johnny Douglas in 1920-21 to lead two Ashes campaigns down under. Mike Brearley twice led tours of Australia, but the urn was not at stake during the hastily arranged 1979-80 series.
Written by Ali Martin in Cape Town
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/03/joe-root-eye-on-the-ashes-south-africa-england-odi-cricket under the title “
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