Joe Root has already etched his name in the annals of Test cricket, achieving milestones that most can only dream of. At 34, he is on the brink of history and there are whispers that he could one day eclipse Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs in the purest format of the game.
Since entering the Test scene in 2012, Root has dominated with a blend of elegance and grit, making the longest format his personal playground.
For all his brilliance, however, there remains one frontier that has so far eluded him: Australia. The Ashes, a stage where legends are forged and reputations tested, has long been Root’s unfinished symphony.
Will the upcoming tour mark his final dance Down Under? The answer is uncertain – but one thing is clear: Root will be determined to erase the stain, silence critics questioning his record on Australian soiland re-establish himself as England’s mainstay.
There is no plan B for England. This is a team that will rely heavily on arguably their greatest batsman of all time to not only score runs but also carry the weight of expectations, hopes and history.
As the Ashes unfold, the cricketing world will be watching to see if Joe Root can finally conquer the continent that has long defied him – and in the process cement his legacy as one of the game’s true titans.
MIDDLE ROOT IN AUSTRALIA
Joe Root’s credentials are undeniable: 158 Tests, an average of 51.29, a career built on consistency, maturity and a razor-sharp cricketing mind. For all his accolades, however, one challenge remained stubbornly out of reach – Australia. On the sun-baked pitches Down Under, Root’s numbers tell a tale of frustration.
In 14 Tests, he amassed just 892 runs at a modest average of 35.68. He didn’t get a single century and his highest score was 89 at the Gabba in 2021 – a knock that hinted at triumph but ultimately fell short.
There were flashes of promise, like his 87 at Adelaide Oval in 2013, a glimpse of what might have been. But Root, despite his class, found little reason to celebrate in Australia: England have yet to taste victory on Australian soil, let alone claim the Ashes, since their Test debut.
This time the scene is set to change. For Root, it’s not just about adding runs to his account; it is about rewriting a narrative that has long eluded him. Every shot, every innings will carry the weight of expectation – not just to elevate his own legacy, but to steer England to the breakthrough that always seemed out of reach.
FAILURE?
Adding to the intrigue was former Australian fast bowler Rodney Hogg, who expressed doubts about Joe Root’s prospects in Australia. Hogg, who featured in 38 Tests and 71 ODIs for the Aussies between 1978 and 1985, believes Root lacks the technique needed to succeed on the tough Australian pitches.
According to Hogg, Root’s tendency to play the ball under his nose leaves him vulnerable to edges in the slips or at gully, turning what should be England’s biggest asset into a potential weakness. “Joe Root will be a complete failure in this series. His technique is not working in Australia. He has 39 Test matches (hundreds), average 51,” Hogg told Sport 10.
“He averages 35 in Australia. He plays with the ball under his nose. He loves to slide it down between third slip and gully. You can’t do that in Australia, you cut them off. So his technique doesn’t work in Australia. Joe Root will be their weakness,” Hogg added.
With such harsh criticism from the former Australian quick, the pressure is mounting on Root to exceed expectations and finally conquer the ground that has long defied him.
CAN ENGLAND FIGHT?
England’s last truly memorable Ashes triumph in Australia came back in 2010-11 when they clinched the series 3-1 under Andrew Strauss. Since then, the tour Down Under has been a nightmare, with England losing 13 of their last 15 Tests on Australian soil.
While they were celebrating success at home, in Australia the visitors were constantly looking out of their depth, struggling to find answers to the Aussies’ relentless attack.
Now a new opportunity presents itself. If Joe Root fires on all cylinders, England’s hopes of a turnaround will grow exponentially. But if the talisman falters, history suggests the series could once again slip away, leaving England wondering what could have been.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 20, 2025
