- August 15, 2025
If you’ve watched Joe Root bat over the last few years, you’ll know he’s one of those rare cricketers who seems to keep reinventing himself without breaking a sweat. After stepping down as England captain in 2022, Root has been playing with the freedom and energy that many thought had peaked years ago. With the Ashes in Australia looming, he’s not just focused on milestones or records—he’s focused on evolution, and the results have been seriously impressive.
Shedding the Captaincy, Finding the Flow
It isn’t easy being England captain. From post-COVID constraints to players embroiled in controversy on tours down under, Root had to manage distractions while keeping his own game in shape. Thinking back to his previous Ashes tours, often the off-field noise was so loud it took his focus away from the important part: playing freely and building an innings. So, now that he doesn’t have the captain’s burden, Root feels free.
“It’s a beautiful country; it’s a great place to go play cricket,” he says about Australia. This isn’t just lip service. And it shows in the way he’s approaching cricket lately—more relaxed, yet razor-sharp. Playing in the Hundred with the Trent Rockets has given him a fresh dose of energy, switching formats after a grueling Test series against India without losing focus. For Root, shedding the captaincy hasn’t been about escaping responsibility; it’s about rediscovering joy in the game.
Mastering the Mental Game
Joe Root’s growth isn’t just physical; it’s deeply mental. He admits that in past tours he “wanted it way too much” when chasing personal milestones like that elusive Australian century. That hunger, while admirable, sometimes clouded his focus. Now, with over 150 Test matches under his belt, he’s learned to balance ambition with smart, calculated play.
His stats this year speak volumes: second-highest run-scorer in the India series with 537 runs at an average of 67.12, a personal-best innings-to-century ratio of 3.33 in 2025, and a batting average of 63.44—his third-best in years where he’s scored 100+ runs. But Root insists that numbers aren’t the driving force anymore. Can you stay ahead of your opposition?” It’s a mindset that blends curiosity, strategy, and experience—a true testament to a player who never wants to get stale.
Fresh Perspectives, New Energy
Brendon McCullum, the head coach of England, has been a very significant catalyst in Root’s rejuvenated mindset, and his high-energy, aggressive, and fearless approach has been pivotal to this. McCullum has encouraged Root to move away from thinking about the technical elements of his batting, but rather to act in response to problems and situations on the field, rather than just utilize technique. The IMAP process has provided Root with many means in which he can be more lateral and flexible in thinking, and develop a more creative, innovative, and confident approach to thinking and decide.
And it’s not all coaching. Root enjoys this variety and uses it to energise and drive performances in Test cricket. He’s evolving experiences, and demonstrating that experience doesn’t limit the journey of evolution – no matter if you’ve played 158 Tests.
FAQs:
- What is Root’s approach to scoring in Australia?
He focuses on constructing smart innings rather than chasing milestones obsessively.
- How has Brendon McCullum influenced Root?
McCullum has helped Root become more creative and strategic rather than purely technical.
- Why does Root enjoy playing in the Hundred?
It provides fresh energy, a new environment, and a break from the Test routine.
