Ashes tour might not be viable, admits Root

ENGLAND captain Joe Root admits there must be an element of uncertainty over the viability this winter’s Ashes tour.

Next month’s planned white-ball tour of Bangladesh is to be postponed, due in part to Covid-19’s prevalence in that part of the world but also a clash with the rescheduled Indian Premier League.

The possibility of players’ families being shut out of Australia is a source of serious concern for those who have endured restrictive bubbles and secured environments for the past 18 months.

‘Of course there are challenges, but everyone is desperate to be part of an Ashes series in Australia,’ said Root (pictured). ‘It’s just at what cost. Until we know what the lay of the land is it’s very difficult to make any decision.

‘We are very passionate about Ashes cricket, we know our responsibilities as players, wanting to look after the integrity of Test cricket and the implications of this tour, so of course any decision that is made will not be made lightly.’ Meanwhile, Root could knock off a couple of personal milestones when the first Test with India starts at Trent Bridge tomorrow. He needs just 22 runs to pass Sir Alastair Cook’s career mark of 15,737 – the most international runs for England across formats – and one win to beat Michael Vaughan’s record 26 as a Test captain.

Pushing aside those accolades, he said: ‘I’d be more excited with us winning. Win the first Test, start well, try to win the series. If I score big runs it gives us the opportunity to win the game.’