After losing the Ashes to Australia, Joe Root still feels that he is the right man to lead England in Test cricket.
England had suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat under Root in Australia in 2017/18 and were hoping to regain the Ashes.
But Australia’s clinical 185-run win in the fourth Test at Manchester on Sunday ensured that the visitors retained the urn.
Root, whose captaincy has been questioned throughout the series, also hasn’t performed well as a batsman. He was out for a duck on three occasions.
“Definitely, yes,” the right-hander said when asked if he still saw himself as the right person to lead the side.
“Whenever you lose a series it hurts and I have to take that on the chin. It’s still very raw.”
“You have to look at areas you want to get better at, both in yourself and as a team.”
“But I have been given a fantastic opportunity to captain the Test side and will continue to work very hard doing my best at that. That is in my control and I have to make sure I keep getting this team in the best shape to win as many games as possible,” he added.
England could still play for pride and end the series 2-2 to earn the all-important points in the World Test Championship table with a win in the last Test match.
“It’s important to look at next week,” the 28-year-old said positively.
“We have an important Test match against Australia and we have to make sure we finish this summer strong.”
“We have the Test championship to play for. It matters to me, it matters to everyone involved.”
“I know the Ashes are not coming home but in terms of the Test championship, at the end of the two-year cycle those points could be crucial.”
“Every game against Australia matters,” Root concluded.
England will take on Australia in the fifth and final Test match at The Oval, starting September 12.
