Root relishing war Down Under

WE’RE PREPARED FOR THE SLEDGING

England are steeled for a sledging war in the Ashes series with suspended Ben Stokes the expected focus of Australia’s barbs, captain Joe Root said on the team’s arrival in Perth yesterday.

Stokes, the vice-captain and star all-rounder, is not among the touring party. He remains under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has not yet ruled the 26-year-old Stokes, who has a broken finger, out of the series which starts with the first Test in Brisbane on November 23.

Root, who made it clear before departure that they must be prepared for Stokes’ possible absence for the entire five-Test series, said his team were ready to deal with any heat that comes their way.

“Potentially they might (sledge us about Stokes),” Root told reporters.

“But Ashes cricket – there’s always an edge of psychological banter.

“Once you’ve played in a few, you sort of know what to expect and you know how it goes.

“I’m sure there will be plenty of banter flying around.

“That’s something you’ve got to cherish and relish and be able to look back on at the end of your career and say, ‘I gave it my best shot, and I enjoyed it’.”

Root said he is determined to show Australia just how good he is during the Ashes series as he seeks to atone for a miserable first tour Down Under.

Root is now one of the world’s leading batsmen, having scored more than 5 000 runs in 60 Tests at an average of 53.76, including 13 hundreds.

England play a two-day tour match against a Western Australia XI at Perth’s WACA Ground starting on Saturday. – AFP