Senior England batter Joe Root has dismissed calls for changes to the team’s leadership following their Ashes loss, saying it would be “silly” to alter the current management setup and stressing that players remain fully committed to it.
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England surrendered the Ashes after just 11 days of play, suffering back-to-back eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane, followed by an 82-run loss in Adelaide. The poor run of results sparked criticism over the team’s preparation and conduct, including allegations of excessive drinking during a mid-series break in Noosa.
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However, England managed to restore some pride with a dramatic four-wicket victory in the fourth Test in Melbourne, ending an 18-match winless streak on Australian soil. The result eased pressure on head coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes and managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key, all of whom have indicated a desire to continue in their roles.
“In terms of the playing group, we’re absolutely committed to the management,” Root told English media in Melbourne. “Yes, we can be better, and there are certain areas that we’ll continue to keep working at, but the management works extremely hard.”
Root acknowledged that the current leadership may approach things differently, but said the team had made significant progress under the present regime. “I think we’ve made great strides as a group, and a big reason for it is because of the guys we have behind us,” he said.
The former England captain pointed to the contrast with the 2021-22 Ashes tour, when England were crushed 4-0, leading to the departure of coach Chris Silverwood and cricket director Ashley Giles. Root said the current group had improved markedly since then, both collectively and individually.
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“This team has improved,” Root said. “I think it would be silly to consider change for the amount of hard work and things that have been done.”
England trail the series 3-1 heading into the fifth Test in Sydney, starting Sunday. Root said another win would help build momentum ahead of the next Ashes tour in Australia in 2029-30.