England captain Joe Root insists he is ‘hurt deeply’ by their disastrous Ashes performances in Australia… but vows to finish the series ‘in a much better way’ ahead of the fourth Test in Sydney
- England face Australia in Sydney looking to restore pride in the fourth Test
- Joe Root has opened up on his dismay at how badly the tour has gone so far
- Ben Stokes recently threw his support behind Root’s role as England captain
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Joe Root has spoken of the ‘hurt’ he has felt at England’s performance in the Ashes and called for his side to make fans back home proud ahead of the fourth Test against Australia at the SCG.
His side are 3-0 down with two to play, but Root has received the backing of his team-mates to carry on as Test captain – with Ben Stokes, his deputy, the latest to speak out on his behalf.
Root said: ‘Obviously that’s nice to hear. To captain England is a huge honour for me.
Joe Root is looking to rally England for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney
Root said he felt boosted by the support from Ben Stokes over his position as England captain
‘All I ever want to do is try to get the best out of the group, to see us play at a level everyone back home is proud of.
‘It’s hurt me deeply that we’ve not managed to do that on this trip and I’m desperate for us to put in those performances.
‘I really care about the role and it would be nice to finish this tour off in a much better way.’
Root admitted the ongoing uncertainty wrought by Covid had left England with ‘a lot to deal with, on the field and off’.
But he added: ‘I will throw everything I can at making sure we give ourselves a better account of what we have so far.’
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