England captain Joe Root is ready for a fresh start in the West Indies after a humiliating Ashes debacle in Australia, as the Three Lions are all set for the Caribbean tour to play three Tests next month.
Root avoided being axed from captaincy after a 0-4 drubbing in Australia in the Ashes Series 2021-22, and he will undoubtedly be looking to deliver a result in the upcoming three-match Test series against the West Indies, which begins on March 8 in Antigua.
Before leaving for the Caribbean tour, England's captain said that he was grateful to be given the opportunity to take the team forward despite the humiliating Australia tour.
Root told reporters: “Clearly it was a disappointing tour and we massively underperformed. I think off the back of it we have to use this opportunity for a fresh start.”
He continued, “As Straussy's (interim director Andrew Strauss) mentioned, a bit of a reset... I'm very grateful that I've got the opportunity to do that as captain. I know there's a lot of hard work ahead, and I'm very much looking forward to that challenge. And that starts on this tour first. It's a real opportunity that we've got to take with both hands.”
On James Anderson and Stuart Broad’s dropping, the skipper said: “I've spoken both to Stuart and Jimmy... they're obviously disappointed, angry... at no point, no one is saying this is the end for them.”
The 31-year-old added, “If we're in a position where they can come back into this team, then great, that's only going to strengthen things. So a lot can happen between now and then.”
Meanwhile, Anderson said of his axing on the BBC’s Tailenders podcast, “I'm praying this isn't the end... I've got one more go at digging deep. I've got a lot left to offer -- I've still got the hunger and passion to play.”
He concluded, “It was a shock and a disappointment to get that call but having processed it, it's important I try to focus on the stuff I can control and that's showing people what I can do with the ball in my hand.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
