Joe Root frustrated by Ashes delay as decision looms

CHARLIE PETERS: The PCA men's player of the year celebrates a stellar 2021 summer but has wasted little time turning attention to future challenges with Australia on the horizon

England captain Joe Root has conveyed his joy at being crowned cinch PCA men’s player of the year after a dominant Test summer and remains “desperate” to be involved in the Ashes this winter amid speculation regarding the fate of the tour. 

The 30-year-old called it a “privilege” to pick up the award, voted on by fellow professionals, and feels he is on top of his game after racking up 661 runs during the 2021 summer.

“I certainly feel like I’m playing some of the best cricket I’ve played,” said Root. “I feel like I’ve got good rhythm in the way that I’m moving, and good confidence at the crease, so more than anything you’re just desperate to keep that feeling going, that hunger that drives you to make those big scores and contributions.”  

Root, who admitted the uncertainty surrounding the Ashes was “frustrating”, spoke with uncertainty as he emphasised his hunger to take part in the tour, should it proceed as planned.

The Daily Mail understand the conditions under which England can tour, including quarantine rules, will be shared next week when players will be asked to commit and a squad announced.

“I’d be desperate to be a part of an Ashes series, always am, it’s that one series as an England player you want to be involved in, and that will never change," he added. "Of course, I’m desperate to go, but, for the group, we’ve all got to find out what the position is and then make a decision off the back of that.

“I think I speak on behalf of everyone that Ashes cricket and an away tour to Australia is one of those occasions you’re desperate to be on. You look at the position I’m in with my career, it could be the last opportunity I get to go. So of course, it’s something you’re desperate to do, desperate to go and hopefully make history over there and be part of something very special.”

Root also lauded Moeen Ali’s England contributions, following the allrounder’s decision to retire from Test cricket to focus on white-ball formats.

^{Root has paid tribute to Moeen following news of his Test retirement}

“He’s done some wonderful things in Test cricket. He’s been one of the great guys to play alongside and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing that dressing room with him, and had so many wonderful memories on and off the field. He’ll be a huge loss, he’s a great personality to have in and around the dressing room, he’s a great brain the younger players can learn from and feed off, and I wish him every success in everything he chooses to do from now.”

England’s handling of Moeen has been questioned in the past and Root concedes they “could have done things slightly differently”.

“He’s been a wonderful role model," explained the Yorkshireman. "I really hope that off the back of what he’s done and achieved in test cricket that there’ll be so many young boys and girls out there that’ll be wanting to follow in his footsteps. He’s done fabulous things, the way he holds himself, the way he goes about things, it’s fantastic. He leaves a legacy.”

A remarkable summer was soured by the premature end to an intriguing series with India following the cancellation of the fifth Test against India at Emirates Old Trafford, a decision that was only reached on the morning of the first day.

There is hope the match could be scheduled in 2022 but that poses problems amid a calendar that is already jam-packed.

“The challenge and difficulty is making sure you don’t dilute the product of it. If you’re going to overlap a series that’s already in there, are you going to get the quality that a Test match deserves?

"Hopefully, that balance can be found because it would be great to get the opportunity to finish the series off, and as a side, we’re desperate to try and square things up.”

Joe Root was speaking following the 52nd cinch PCA Awards, the biggest awards ceremony in English cricket.