Ashes 2021-22: Joe Root Terms Captaincy Talks A 'Distraction'; Calls For Focus On Final Two Tests

England captain Joe Root stated that the talks about a change in captaincy are nothing but a distraction to the side and wants his team to focus on playing well in the final two Tests of the Ashes series.

Following a terrible defeat in the MCG Test, England ceded the Ashes within the first three matches. They now play for pride and for some sort of confidence for its wounded bowlers and under-par batting lineup. Ahead of the SCG Test, Root insisted the team should put the captaincy talks aside.

“The most important people’s opinions are those guys in the dressing room, and they’ve got our thorough support, At the end of the day…I don’t think as a distraction that should be around the group or I should be wasting energy on it right now.

“I need to make sure to throw everything I can into these two games. I think I owe that to this team and to the players and give us the best chance of getting the results that we desire,” Root told reporters on Monday.

Ben Stokes backs Joe Root amidst calls for captaincy change

England all-rounder Ben Stokes confirmed that he isn’t interested in becoming the captain and also pledged allegiance to friend and teammate, Joe Root. Although it’s quite immature to pin the entire Ashes debacle on Root’s captaincy, there are a few chinks that need to be dealt with.

“I’ve never really had an ambition to be a captain. Captaincy is more than about setting fields, picking the team, making decisions out there in the middle. A captain is someone you want to go out and play for. Joe Root is someone I always want to play for,” Stokes added.

The fourth Test begins at the SCG on January 5 despite the high number of cases in both teams’ camps.

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