Joe Root welcomes David Warner’s sledge as part of Ashes build-up
England’s Joe Root says David Warner’s pre-Ashes taunt is just part of the fun and feels better placed than ever to claim his first Test century in Australia.
England captain Joe Root has welcomed David Warner’s pre-Ashes remark as “all part of the fun”, insisting he is better prepared than ever to register his first Test century in Australia this winter.
Root, 34, enjoyed an excellent summer, scoring 537 runs in five Tests against India, and will play a key role when England tour Australia in November aiming to reclaim the Ashes for the first time since 2015.
Despite his strong record at home, Root has yet to reach three figures in 14 Tests on Australian soil. Speaking to INLIBER Sport, Warner quipped that Root should “take the surfboard off his front leg”, a nod to the batsman’s perceived vulnerability to lbw dismissals.
“You can’t control every comment or interview,” Root said. “All I can do is focus on my game and make sure those surfboard jokes aren’t a talking point in 100 days’ time.”
Fun and focus
Root and Warner will meet on the field in The Hundred at Lord’s on Thursday, when Root’s Trent Rockets face Warner’s London Spirit. Root dismissed the idea of retaliating verbally. “It’s all part of the fun — but it’s not in my nature to get too verbal,” he added.
Under the Australian sun
Across two previous Ashes tours Down Under, Root has compiled nine half-centuries at an average of 35.68, notable but below his career average of 51.29. He attributes past near-misses to distraction.
“In 2017-18 and 2021-22 there were too many distractions — captaincy, Covid, off-field incidents involving teammates,” he said. “This time, I simply want to enjoy playing cricket in a beautiful country and let the performances speak for themselves.”
Root embraces Warner’s mind games ahead of the Ashes and believes his improved mindset will finally deliver a maiden Test century in Australia.
This topic was reported by BBC.
Explore useful articles in Sports News as of 13-08-2025. The article titled " Joe Root welcomes David Warner’s sledge as part of Ashes build-up " offers in-depth analysis and practical advice in the Sports News field. Each article is carefully crafted by experts to provide maximum value to readers.
The " Joe Root welcomes David Warner’s sledge as part of Ashes build-up " article expands your knowledge in Sports News, keeps you informed about the latest developments, and helps you make well-informed decisions. Each article is based on unique content, ensuring originality and quality.