By Tyler Lewis

Copyright news

Root instead credited the environment under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes for his run-filled rejuvenation.

The much-anticipated Ashes series is just more than a month away when England will put its “BazBall” approach to the test for the first time in Australia.

Root, who is a huge factor in England’s chances of success, has enjoyed a resurgence since 2021 but is yet to score a century Down Under.

The former captain responded strongly to the notion that England was relaxed under McCullum and Stokes when it came to training.

“I feel like it’s kind of disrespectful to say (play golf) is all we do. We work really hard, we train really hard,” Root told the Wisden Cricket podcast.

“When we’re preparing for games, we know exactly what we want to get from it and we work tirelessly to make sure we’re in a really good place to attack each Test match.

“When you create an environment where you want guys to thrive and be confident, it needs to be relaxed and you want people to feel like they can be themselves.

“Normally, you have those important, in-depth and honest conversations in that moment and kind of environments.

“That’s something Brendon and Ben have created really well over a period of time where guys can feel like they can share different ideas, bring things to the fore and help each other.

“It doesn’t always have to be in a net or at a cricket ground, it can be in a more relaxed setting – I think it has helped us in a number of ways on the field.”

Root has become the second highest run scorer at Test level, courtesy of 5720 runs since the start of 2021.

The 35-year-old said McCullum’s outlook had allowed him to see the game differently.

“That’s only really changed since Brendan has come in as coach, not deliberately, but the way he looks at the game is more tactically than technically,” Root said.

“It’s about managing what’s right in front of you and understanding and that’s really resonated well with me.

“I feel like for a long time I was obsessed with how I was lining things up, how my feet were and that would be sort of my safe place.

“If that felt good and if in practice I felt all right, then I was always in a good place, whereas now I am not as reliant on that.

“If I was struggling with a bowler at one stage, I remember having a conversation with (McCullum) just saying, ‘I find him quite tricky’ and he’s like, ‘Well yeah, he’s the most consistent bowler the opposition have, you know where it’s going to be, try and change where you stand’.

“Little things, why haven’t I thought of that? It’s the most basic thing ever, but you’re so used to doing things a certain way and get so wrapped up in your own game sometimes you don’t see the rest of it and what other areas can really help you.”

Root said he fancied England’s chances in the upcoming Ashes.

He said the English were armed with a “barrage” of tearaway quicks while there was a lot more consistency to their batters.

“I think we go there this year with a completely different outlook on our squad, how we look. This team, we can hit (Australia) with things we didn’t have the previous three tours,” he said.

“We’ve obviously got a lot more pace, a barrage of it, not just one bowler – we’re looking at having two or three bowlers who can bowl 90m/ph all day.

“We’re obviously playing a very different style of cricket to the last time we toured there and we’ve got a lot more consistency to our batting line-up.

“It’s a really exciting time for the group, I feel like it’s a great time for us to take on Australia in those conditions.

“Clearly, they are very good in their own conditions and have got a great record, especially against us, (and) are a very difficult team to beat at home.

“That being said, I am very confident (and) very excited, it’s going to be a great tour.”