MY YURNING DESIRE
Root desperate for Ashes tour to go ahead as it could be his last chance of glory Down Under
ASHES DATES
First Test,
JOE ROOT has revealed his desperation to get to Australia and regain the
Ashes for what could be his last tour Down Under – even though he is unable to confirm he will be there.
The tour remains under threat because of Covid restrictions. A match was postponed in Brisbane yesterday after just four new virus cases locally, while there are doubts over Perth staging the final Test.
It is understood Cricket Australia gave an outline on Friday to the ECB, who wanted to clarify some issues over quarantine regulations for families when they arrive, emphasising rules must be the same for all members of the touring party, including support staff.
Root, 30, who has been named Cinch Professional Cricketers’ Association men’s player of the year, said: “I’m very hopeful. I think I speak on behalf of everyone that Ashes cricket, an away tour to Australia, is just one of those things that you’re just desperate to be on.
“The position I’m at in my career, it could be the last opportunity, so of course I want to make history over there and be part of something very special.
“It’s hard to make a decision until we know what it looks like. Once that information comes through and we’ve a bit more clarity we can start moving forward.”
Such is the concern surrounding the virus in Australia, Tasmania were not prepared to fulfil their four-day Sheffield Shield fixture with Queensland in Brisbane, heading back to Hobart just half an hour before the start of play.
Further incidents like this in the opening skirmishes of Australian domestic cricket could encourage tighter bubble conditions for the England team, which could mean players withdraw.
It also seems clear there will be no Ashes cricket in Perth because of strict 14-day quarantine regulations being enforced by the West Australian government. The Perth Test is due to be the fifth of the series in January but with the players having already quarantined to get into Australia, the idea of another 14 days will be rejected, leaving them without a match.
Australia Sports Minister Richard Colbeck said: “The cricketers won’t quarantine, they won’t come. We want the Ashes tour to go ahead.
“But I’d say there’s serious questions about whether or not there would be a Test match in Perth this summer. I’d suggest the possibility of a Test match in Western Australia is very slim.”
Six Test hundreds in 2021, with three in successive matches against India, elevated Root (above celebrating his ton at Headingley) to the top of the game once more in the same year as he became England’s most successful Test skipper.
He is yet to score a hundred in nine matches on an Ashes tour and added: “I’m very aware of my record in Australia and it’s something that I desperately want to put right.
Eve Jones was PCA women’s winner, Alice Capsey the women’s young player and Harry Brook the men’s young player.
JOE ROOT was speaking after the 52nd cinch PCA Awards, the biggest awards ceremony in English cricket.