More Than Anything I Need to Make Sure We Win Test Series Against First, Than We Will Turn Attention To Australia: Joe Root

England captain Joe Root on Tuesday said that his current focus is to win the ongoing Test series against India and later see on the Ashes which is scheduled in December this year.

England bounced back in the third Test to win against India by an innings and 76 runs in Leeds. It was Root’s 27th victory as team’s Test captain and he surpassed former skipper Michael Vaughan’s tally of 26 wins to become the most successful English captain in the oldest format.

I think as an England captain you are always judged slightly on how you do in Ashes: Joe Root

Many expectations are being thrown at Root to win the Ashes Down Under but the England captain said his priority is to win against India and it doesn’t bother him about what people talk about his captaincy style.

“I think as an England captain you are always judged slightly on how you do in Ashes cricket. I think more than anything I need to make sure we win this series first. It’s a huge series for us. Then we will turn our attention to Australia. In terms of what other people think of me as a captain, it’s irrelevant,” Root said in a virtual press conference. 

Until we get a bit of information from Cricket Australia and their government, we just have to concentrate on the India series: Joe Root

With the Australian government imposing stringent measures in the country to combat the dreadful COVID-19 virus from prevailing in the country. There are a lot of speculations that England players may decide not to go on the tour as they won’t be allowed to travel with their family.

Root said that the two boards are in constant talks and the players would communicate with the board once they get to know about certain details and the current focus should completely be on winning the Test series against India.

“They are conversations we will have with the ECB. One thing we are waiting on is a little bit more information. Until we get that from Cricket Australia and their government, we just have to concentrate on this series and make sure that doesn’t become a distraction,” Root mentioned.

“I think it’s really important we keep talking about it as a squad, working closely with the ECB. There is still a lot to consider. We will keep trying to do everything we can to keep good communication through the right channels.

“There are a few things we could do without right now. But this is how things are at the moment. You have to just take it in your stride as a team,” he added. 

The fourth Test between the hosts, England and India will be played at Kennington Oval in London, starting on September 2.

Also Read: Ben Stokes Says Joe Root Is Already England’s Greatest Captain, Doesn’t Need An Ashes Win To Reaffirm