ENG vs AUS: 'The Best Teams Struggle To Play Against Us..'- Joe Root Throws Open Challenge To Australia Ahead Of Marquee Clash
Published - 03 Nov 2023, 01:19 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:21 AM
Former England skipper Joe Root is part of a current England side that has lost five out of the six games they have played in this World Cup so far and are nearing elimination. The defending champions have endured arguably their worst World Cup so far in this edition.
England are up against it as they face Australia in their next game in Ahmadabad on Saturday, November 4. This is a must-win game for the side if they are to harbor hopes of making the semis. Australia on the other hand, have been dominant with four back-to-back wins and is placed third on the points table nearing their semi-final berth.
Ahead of the must-win game, Joe Root spoke to BBC. He spoke about his love for his team and that he would stand up for his team rather than take Australia’s side. A loss against Australia will mean England’s World Cup chances are officially over.
“Man for man I’d have this team every day over the Australians. We might not have played as well as we can but when we play our best stuff, the best teams struggle to compete with us” former skipper Root told the BBC.
He further said that England should approach the game against Australia with a positive mindset and also be positive physically and mentally.
“We have to remember that and take that into the next couple of days, both in physical practice and mentally to make sure we’re in that frame of mind to take on Australia, which is what it’s about for us now” Root said further.
We Are A Far Better Side Than What We Have Shown: Joe Root
Joe Root further said that this is the right time to play Australia saying that as a side they are far better than what the recent results might show. There is an element of Ashes rivalry in this World Cup game and Root eluded to that as well.
“It’s a great opportunity to get back to what we expect of ourselves, the levels we put on ourselves, the levels that are expected externally as well. “We’re a far better side than what we’ve shown,” Root said.
“It [this situation] has been unique in many ways. Other tours, previous Ashes, there’s been other stuff going on away from the performances that had a massive effect on how we played — this is not comparable to those experiences” Root concluded.
