Root eager to change the record
JOE ROOT will break Sir Alastair Cook’s captaincy record when he leads England out for the 60th time in Sydney on a tour Down Under that he says has “hurt me deeply”.
The 31-year-old admitted just how much pain another Ashes failure has caused him in the past week as he came to terms with his side’s Melbourne horror show during the festive period.
But ever the optimist, Root is determined to try to turn things around in the final two matches while he remains in charge, with conversations about his future as Test skipper made to wait.
He said: “I’m very passionate about getting the opportunity to play for England.
“And to captain England as well is a huge honour for me.
“All I ever want to do is try to get the best out of the group, to see us perform and play at a level everyone back home is proud of.
“It has hurt me deeply we’ve not managed to do that on this trip and I’m desperate for us to put in those performances.
“My pride in the role has not wavered from day one and it won’t until it finishes, whenever that is.
“There have been a huge number of ups and downs and challenges to face as captain, especially in the last couple of years on and off the field.
“I really care about the role and it would be nice to finish this tour off in a much better way.”
Root has been backed by every other England player to continue in the job after this series.
However, he will not be rushed into a decision before the final ball is bowled in Hobart.
He added: “It has been nice to hear but I will look at my future beyond this tour at the end of it.
“Questions on that are not something I need to waste energy on.
“I need to throw everything I can into these last two games.
“I owe that to this team and the players. And that will give us the best chance of getting the results we need.”