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Joe Root Hopes For Series Sweep Against New Zealand And India
By SMCS - Jun 2, 2021 1:48 pm
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England captain Joe Root has said that they have the best chance to prepare for the upcoming Ashes in Australia later this year by completing a series sweep against New Zealand and India. Root will lead England in a two-match series against New Zealand at Lord’s from Wednesday whereas the five-match Test series will be played against India after the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand as well.

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Joe Root took a 5-fer

“There’s going to be constant conversations about Australia throughout this summer,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“There’s no getting away from that. We’ve said for a long time now we’re planning towards that series. As an English fan, as an English player, it is such an iconic series and one that holds so much weight. You talk about readying a side — winning seven Test matches before going to Australia is the best way of doing that, filling the side with confidence,” he further added.

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Joe Root further added: “Every Test means a hell of a lot to these players, it means a hell of a lot to me and that (the Ashes) certainly won’t be in our thoughts when we are out there playing these games.”

Meanwhile, the Test against New Zealand will see the spectators returning to the stadium for the international cricket in England as the capacity of 25 percent, around 7,500 spectators per day will be there as well after a long time as the coronavirus pandemic saw the matches played behind closed doors last year as well.

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However, they wouldn’t get the service of their two key players – Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. They both have been ruled out due to injuries whereas England has given rest to their several players like wicketkeepers Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow following their stints in the now-suspended Indian Premier League.

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However, England has not lost a home Test series since 2014 as well.

“There is always room to improve,” said New Zealand captain and one of the best in the business Kane Williamson.

“We have a tough challenge against England and then India,” he further added ahead of the game where opener Devon Conway is set for a debut in the longer format. We know how clinical England are, certainly in their own conditions.”