London: England batsman Joe Root believes that their historic World Cup win, their first in 44 years of the tournament, could serve as a confidence-booster ahead of the upcoming Ashes series that starts on August 1.
Root, England’s highest run-getter in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, said that his side ‘couldn’t be in a better place’, after lifting the trophy, following the tied final against New Zealand at Lord’s.
“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,” Root said.
England has been a commanding one-day side over the last few years, having won 35 of their 51 ODIs since the end of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. They are also No.1 on the MRF ICC ODI Team Rankings.
“It’s what we set out to do two or three years ago, and we’re halfway there,” Root said.
“Having achieved what we’ve achieved here, there will be talk about us going one step better and picking ourselves up off the back of it.”
England faced Australia in the second semi-final on July 11, and comprehensively beat them, by eight wickets.
Root believes that the win at Edgbaston would further bolster their chances ahead of the opening Test at the same venue.
“Ultimately, the confidence this will give the guys to take into a series like that - especially the way we’ve played against Australia at Edgbaston in that semi - the guys involved will relish that and want more of that,” he said.
Before the five-Test Ashes, England is set to play a one-off four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s, starting on July 24.
Even though it coincided with their stellar run in ODIs, England’s previous Ashes campaign did not go to plan, as they lost 4-0 in their 2017-18 visit to Australia.
The World Cup win could serve as the perfect push for England as they seek to reclaim the urn, starting with the first Test on August 1, an ICC report said.
“To potentially be able to experience all that again is very exciting. 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,” Root said.
“It’s something I’m really looking forward to, and it’ll be massive, especially on the back of this. It’ll make it even bigger,” he added. (UNI)
