Now Root MUST start rebuilding for the future

ENGLAND are at the end of their Ashes road, but it needs to be the start of Joe Root’s path to glory.

The Root era began almost a year ago, but it is only now that he has experienced the agony of Ashes defeat and the challenges of captaining a side Down Under that his reign can flourish.

He has seen what it takes to be successful in the toughest of circumstances and he has to start building his team now.

Nothing would seal that ambition better than a win in Sydney and that’s what I expect from England because it is their last chance.

There should be a desperation about England. There is pride to play for, as well as careers, and I expect every player to leave their last drop of effort out on the SCG.

This is not a throwaway match and it is the captain’s chance to gain momentum ahead of New Zealand and a big summer against Pakistan and India.

He has the chance to blood Mason Crane and he should take it and challenge Australia in a way they haven’t been up to now. If Crane doesn’t play then I would ask what was the point of bringing him here? Expect a few new faces in the England side over the next few matches as Joe decides on who and what he needs to be successful. Those of us watching must allow him to have the time and the support to get it right because if we believe he is the right man for the job he must be allowed to get on and do it. That starts here in Sydney.