We will take World Cup confidence into the Ashes, states Joe Root

We will take World Cup confidence into the Ashes, states Joe Root

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Joe Root says that the English side, that just lifted the World Cup trophy, are halfway to accomplishing what they set out to do three years ago. With the Ashes series set to start in less than three weeks, Root believes England are on the verge of an even bigger cricketing pinnacle.

Having just won the World Cup, it would be reasonable for the England men’s team to relax a little bit. But soon, the Aussies will be in their faces, seeking revenge for the crushing semi-final defeat, during the Ashes series that starts on August 1. At Edgbaston, the side from down under will show no respite, and the world champions must be ready. Root, the Test captain, is well aware of this danger, but is confident that his boys will be able to carry the momentum forward. 

"It's what we set out to do two or three years ago and we're halfway there. We couldn't be in a better place really, having achieved what we've achieved here. This will give the guys confidence and we've talked about taking that forward into a series like that,” Root was quoted as saying by IANS, reported TOI.

If the last encounter between the two nations at Edgbaston, the semi-final is anything to by, England have certainly got the upperhand. Even though Australia came into the match in fine form, having beaten England during the league stage of the tournament, England decimated them all ends up on that day. 

"The way we played against Australia in that semi-final at Edgbaston... the guys who were involved relished it and will want a bit more: the feeling of euphoria we felt at that ground. To potentially be able to experience all that again is very exciting. Ashes cricket always has a different edge to it so that in itself will get everyone going," Root said.

And, of course, it is the Ashes - the bilateral Test series that commemorates the longest standing rivalry in the history of the game. Even though one-sided encounters have been the trend in recent years, there is always an edge to the cricket being played, and  even Root himself admits this. But he also points to the special summer of 2005, when England won the series for the first time in 19 years.

"It's always so special. The atmosphere, the way it builds up and the way the guys get excited about it, it's like no other series in Test cricket. I was 14 watching that 2005 series and that was hugely inspiring for me. Hopefully we can do something similar for the next generation. As a team we've talked about leaving the game in a better place when we finish. The way we've gone about things in this World Cup, hopefully it's done that and the next generation want to go on and emulate what we've achieved,” Root said.

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