We are well aware Australia is a formidable team. – Joe Root anticipates a tight Ashes contest

Prior to the eagerly anticipated Ashes 2023, Joe Root of England reflected on previous contests and stated that he anticipates another closely contested series. Notably, England and Australia will face off in a five-match series beginning on June 16.

Root reflected on the 2019 Ashes, in which the two teams’ results were inconsistent and the series was tied 2-2. Root recalled how England competed back then despite having multiple players injured in camp.

“The last one we had in the United Kingdom (in 2019) didn’t feel like it really ran for us. Despite the fact that we drew the series, Jofra [Archer] was unavailable for the first game. Mark Wood’s Woody was out for the season. Root stated on ESPNcricinfo that Jimmy [Anderson] bowled four overs.

We were conceivably a half-hour away from winning at Lord’s and twenty minutes away from salvaging the game at Old Trafford. But that is the appeal of an Ashes series: how close they tend to get, particularly in the United Kingdom, and how it can bring out the best Test cricket from both teams. It should produce excellent cricket, which is the type of environment you want to play in,” he added.

We are well aware that Australia is a formidable team: Joe Root
Notably, the last time England won the Ashes was in 2015, when they won the five-match series 3-2 at home. The Australians’ qualification for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 Final is a result of the opposition’s’very strong team’, as acknowledged by Root.

“We are well aware that Australia is a very strong team – you don’t reach the final of the World Test Championship without being able to play well in all conditions. You want to be there at the end, not out, having won the contest for your teammates,” Root continued.