Victory in final Test can set England

JOE Root believes a win in Sydney will be much more than mere Ashes consolation and can act as a springboard for success when he leads England back to Australia to try again.

The Yorkshireman laments some aspects of a tough tour — largely off-the-field distractions, given amplified profile while the absent Ben Stokes still waits to discover if he will face criminal charges after last September’s late-night fracas in Bristol.

Root insists nonetheless that, by reducing Australia’s series victory to 3-1 in the final Test, his team can begin to put in place the foundations for a much-improved campaign in 2021/22.

Major assignments beckon in the meantime — not least a home Ashes in the World Cup summer of 2019 — but this is where the most relevant experience can be gained for a happier return.

Root senses the present can take care of the future.

“It’s really important that we can get a win off this tour and build on that for four years’ time,” he said.

“It would mean a lot to me to give a fairer account of how we’ve gone about this trip.”

Asked if he wants to be in charge next time, the 27-year-old said: “Of course I do.

“I want us to be the best side in the world.

“It’s really important that next time we come here we don’t look at it in a daunted way, because if we do things in the right way we’ve got a really good chance.”