Captain Joe Root put the focus firmly on winning the Ashes in Australia after England levelled their home series on Sunday, saying he was “desperate” to take the team forward. England won at The Oval by 135 runs in the fifth and final Ashes Test to tie the Ashes 2019 series at 2-2, ending their historic World Cup-winning season on a high. It meant the series finished in a draw for the first time since 1972, although holders Australia retain the urn. Root described the summer as “a huge success for English cricket” after their World Cup triumph in July.
“Throughout the whole series we’ve shown a lot of character,” said Root, who described 2-2 as a fair result.
“At times we’ve been out-skilled… but we’ve always fought very hard and that’s a very pleasing thing,” he said.
“Hopefully that will be a massive stepping stone and starting point for us to really kick on as a team now.”
The Ashes will next take place in Australia in 2021-22 and Root said he was “in it for the long haul”.
“I’m desperate to take this team forward,” said the skipper.
“I’m in a very privileged position to be captain of the Test team and I’ll do everything I can to get us very well prepared for going down there and hopefully doing something very special.”
