England Test skipper Joe Root believes the upcoming Ashes will be ‘even bigger’ close of the heels of historic World Cup victory.
The 2019 World Cup winners didn’t get an open top bus tour around the streets of London to celebrate their title in the biggest victory for the nation since the 2005 Ashes series. The World Champions instead opted for a low-key public event at The Oval on Monday (July 15).
“There’s been a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes to make sure we’re ready when that comes around,” Root was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“It always is so special: the atmosphere; the two weeks leading in; the way it builds; the way the guys get excited about it. It’s like no other series in Test cricket. I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be massive. Especially on the back of this. It will make it even bigger,” the England Test skipper added.
Root insisted there would be no hangover for the ODI players that transition to red-ball will begin immediately with England facing Ireland in a four-day Test at Lord’s from July 24 before the first Ashes Test starts on August 1 at Edgbaston.
“We couldn’t be in a better place, really,” Root said, as England defeated Australia in the World Cup semifinals at Edgbaston last week.
“Having achieved what we’ve achieved here, there will be talk about us going one step better and picking ourselves up off the back of it. But ultimately the confidence this will give the guys to take into a series like that — especially the way we’ve played against Australia at Edgbaston in that semi — the guys involved will relish that and want more of that,” the 28-year-old added.
