New Zealand will face England in the first of the two-Test series at Mount Maunganui from November 21. This will be Joe Root’s first sojourn after his poor Ashes outings with the bat and as a captain, as Australia managed to draw the series 2-2 on the back of Steve Smith’s 774 runs.

Now he has said that he worked hard on his technique shortcomings and has left the hangover of Ashes behind. He also said that captaincy weight was no reason for him scoring three ducks against Australia as England failed to regain the Ashes.  

NZ v ENG 2019: New Zealand, England announce playing XI for Test series opener

Root said, "I've gone away and worked out a few things and feel like my game's in good order coming into this series. I'm not concerned about it. I know I've not performed as I'd like to in the previous series and probably over the last year, but they're challenges you face as an international player. It could have been exactly the same if I wasn't captain.”

"Long term it's important that we look after Test cricket in England and we make it a priority. You look at the guys in the dressing room and they're all desperate to get that right. We feel we're in a strong position to take this team forward. It's very clear that I want to be leading this team moving forward," he added.

Root said rising star Jofra Archer "would bring something different to what we had previously" in the bowling stakes, indicating the paceman will be included. On the other hand, Kane Williamson cleared that Lockie Ferguson, the express pace bowler will not be playing in the first Test, as both teams announced their playing XIs.

(AFP inputs)