Joe Root insists players are fully committed to England management after Ash’s win

Joe Root insists England’s players remain “absolutely committed” to the current regime after an overdue Ashes win in Melbourne eased some of the mounting pressure.

Head coach Brendon McCullum and general manager Rob Key both faced questions about their futures after England surrendered the urn with three successive defeats, but the prospect of a whitewash has now disappeared after a two-day win at the MCG.

Having stemmed the bleeding with a first win in 19 Tests in Australia, they have another chance to end a damaging tour on a positive note when they head to Sydney for the New Year’s Test.

But the England and Wales Cricket Board will still be wondering what went wrong and what changes need to be made when the dust settles.

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Root knows all about the pressure, leaving his role as captain a few months after the 4-0 defeat in the 2021-2022 series, a trip that also ended the reign of Chris Silverwood and Ashley Giles behind the scenes.

And he has launched a fervent endorsement of McCullum and Key.

“In terms of the playing group, we are absolutely committed to the management. They have been excellent,” he said.

“So I think it would be foolish to overlook the amount of hard work and the things that have been done.

“You look at the group of players we have and you look at the guys who were involved with the team when I was captain four years ago. Every one of them has improved as players. This team has improved as a team.”

Different approach

There have already been admissions from those at the top that preparation for the series was not up to scratch, and a promise from Key to investigate the team’s drinking habits after reports that their break in Noosa resembled a ‘deer do’.

There may also be a sharper focus on coaching skills following an initial attempt to reduce the size of the backroom team, but Root believes the good work should not be swept away lightly.

“Obviously there will always be things we need to do and work on, and yes, we can be better,” he said.

2025-26 As

• 1st Test, Perth: Aus won by 8 wkts
• 2nd Test, Brisbane: Aus won by 8 wkts
• 3rd Test, Adelaide: Aus won by 82 runs
• 4th Test, Melbourne: Eng won by 4 wkts
• 5th Test, Sydney: January 4-8

“There are certain areas that we will continue to work on, but management is working extremely hard.

“They may do things in a slightly different way and it may seem different to what we are used to as an England team, but I think we have made great strides as a group and a big reason for that is because of the guys we have behind us.

“It was a very different approach and a different way of doing things, but there has been significant progress in the way we have played over that period.”

Important

Although the main aim was to bring the Ashes back home, Root has finally ticked off two notable omissions from his CV.

After reaching his maiden Test century on Australian soil in Brisbane, he has now achieved his 18th Test victory at the asking.

“I didn’t want to come here and lose another Ashes series. It’s disappointing that we lost the series, but it’s very important that we managed to get the right side of the result here,” he explained.

“It would be better if we win next week too. Every Test match, every time you get an opportunity to represent your country, is a huge privilege, a huge honour.”

“If we can build on it and do it again next time, it’s momentum in the right direction for the next tour here.”

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