(PTI Photo)
Former England Test captain Joe Root reflects that in hindsight, they regretted touring Australia for the Ashes 2021-22, which occurred under strict Covid lockdown measures. England suffered a decisive 4-0 defeat in the five-match series.
Root, who led England during that period, believes it was not the right decision to travel to Australia, especially considering the stringent protocols that mandated a 14-day quarantine upon arrival and confined players to a bio-secure bubble with limited outside interaction, aimed at preventing Covid transmission.
“Thinking of COVID, it was about keeping the lights on last time we went,” Root told reporters. “Arguably we shouldn’t have gone last time, should we, in retrospect? We did what we thought was the right thing at the time. We’ll be in a completely different place going into next time.”
Root is the latest to imply that Covid protocols contributed to England’s dismal performance in Australia. Previously, former fast bowler Stuart Broad dismissed the 2021-22 tour as not a “real Ashes” and considered it a “void series.”
“Nothing was harsher than the last Ashes series,” Broad told the Daily Mail. “But in my mind I don’t class that as a real Ashes. The definition of Ashes cricket is elite sport with lots of passion and players at the top of their game.
“Nothing about that series was high level performance because of the COVID restrictions. The training facilities, the travel, not being able to socialise. I’ve written it off as a void series,” he added.
Last year, Australia toured England for the Ashes, resulting in a 2-2 draw as the Pat Cummins-led visitors retained the urn.
The next Ashes series will be held in 2025-26.
