England's batting maestro, Joe Root, has not only conquered a longstanding personal hurdle but has also ignited discussions about his future in the iconic Ashes rivalry. His masterful knock of 160 runs in the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was his second century of the series, a feat he had never achieved in Australia before this tour.
Vaughan Backs Root for 2025 Ashes Campaign
Former England captain Michael Vaughan, commenting on Fox Cricket, expressed strong belief that this will not be Root's last appearance on Australian soil. He highlighted the batsman's undiminished drive as the key factor. "I don't think he will lose his hunger. He won't lose his enthusiasm. Will it be his last Test match here? I would think he has a huge chance in four years of coming back here. He would love to come down here and win a series," Vaughan stated. This endorsement points towards Root potentially leading or being a central figure in the 2025-26 Ashes series down under.
A Landmark Series and Lofty Comparisons
Root's performance in this Ashes series marks a significant turnaround. Prior to this tour, in 14 Tests in Australia, he had managed 829 runs at an average of 35.68, with a highest score of 89. In this series alone, he has amassed 394 runs at an average of 49.25, including two vital hundreds in Brisbane and Sydney. This Sydney century was also the 17th time he has crossed the 150-run mark in Test cricket, underlining his consistency.
His stellar career trajectory has even drawn comparisons to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Root is now within 2,000 runs of Tendulkar's all-time Test record of 15,921 runs. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke, on Fox Sports, acknowledged this potential. "He is a star... I think he has the chance to be the leading run scorer and overtake Sachin. For me, I think Joe Root has stood the test of time. As a great of the game, success is one part, but longevity is the other," Clarke remarked, heaping praise on the England batter.
Root's Focus on Building a Winning Legacy
Beyond personal milestones, Root's eyes are set on team success. After England's victory in Melbourne, he spoke about the importance of creating positive memories for a relatively inexperienced touring squad. "I want to try and replicate that feeling last week for the group. For a lot of this squad it is the first time they've been out here, so if they've got good memories and we can find a way to win this fixture, next time we come out, the last two memories we'd have out here would be two Ashes wins," Root told reporters. This mindset underscores his role as a senior leader focused on changing England's fortunes in Australia.
Former England skipper Michael Atherton also lauded Root's Sydney innings, calling it one of his very best. "I don't think I've seen him play better, certainly not here in Australia. I'm not sure I've seen him play better anywhere," Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. As the Ashes conclude, Joe Root's legacy is not just about the runs he scored, but about the hope and ambition he has reignited for English cricket's future challenges in Australia.
