England batter Joe Root said his experience of 158 tests makes him better equipped than ever to end a victory drought in Australia, as he ramps up preparations for the upcoming Ashes series.
Root, who moved to second on the all-time test run-scorer charts during England’s five-match series against India, which was drawn 2-2 earlier this month, has accumulated 13,543 runs in tests, trailing only India great Sachin Tendulkar (15,921).
Despite his prolific record, the 34-year-old Root has yet to win a test or score a test century in Australia, where he averages 35.68 from 27 innings with nine half-centuries.
“Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd test caps under my belt, I feel I couldn’t be more ready for it,” Root told British media on Thursday.
“The thing that stands out for me is I probably wanted it (a century) way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important.”
Australia won both the 2017-18 series and following home series in 2021-22 4-0 before drawing 2-2 in England in 2023 to retain the urn.
England last triumphed in Australia in 2010-11, which is also the last time the tourists won a test Down Under.
“There were a lot of distractions,” Root said of the last two Ashes series in Australia.
