England veteran backs McCullum-Stokes regime, urges continuity despite Ashes disappointment
Melbourne
England batting great Joe Root has dismissed calls for a shake-up in the team’s management following the loss of the Ashes, saying it would be “silly” to consider changes when players remain fully committed to the current leadership group.
England surrendered the coveted urn inside just 11 days, suffering heavy eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane, followed by an 82-run loss in Adelaide. The series unravelled rapidly, with criticism mounting over England’s understated preparations and reports of excessive drinking during a mid-series break in Noosa.
However, England salvaged pride with a dramatic four-wicket victory in Melbourne, snapping an 18-match winless streak in Australia. The win eased pressure on head coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes and managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key, all of whom have expressed their desire to continue in their roles.
“In terms of the playing group, we’re absolutely committed to the management,” Root, England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, told media. “Yes, we can be better and there are certain areas we’ll keep working at, but the management work extremely hard.”
Root acknowledged that McCullum and Stokes operate differently from past regimes but credited them for driving progress. “They might do things in a slightly different way, but we’ve made great strides as a group, and a big reason for that is the guys we have behind us,” he said.
Another victory in the fifth Test in Sydney, starting Sunday, would further strengthen the management’s position. Root was England captain during the disastrous 2021–22 Ashes tour, when a 4-0 loss led to the departures of coach Chris Silverwood and director Ashley Giles.
Reflecting on that period, Root said the current team has clearly evolved. “Every single player has improved individually. This team has improved,” he said. “For the amount of hard work done, it would be silly to consider change.”
Victory in Melbourne was Root’s first in Australia in over a decade, and he stressed the importance of building momentum. “It would be better if we win next week as well,” he said, eyeing progress ahead of England’s next tour in 2029–30.
