Joe Root believes that England have emerged stronger after a season marked by upheaval, and that they are "well placed" as they head into the winter tour of South Africa. The confidence comes after he captained his side to a historic whitewash of Pakistan on home soil, a series that saw England claim all three Tests. In the decisive third Test at Edgbaston, Root (62 not out) and middle‑order batsman Jordan Cox (59 not out) forged a 128‑run partnership that propelled England to an eight‑wicket victory.
The win capped a summer that has been anything but smooth, featuring a change of head coach, the appointment of a new captain, and a raft of off‑field distractions that dominated headlines. Root praised the squad’s professionalism, work ethic and composure amid the surrounding noise, saying the team’s response to adversity has been the key to their comprehensive series triumph.
"I think we're in a better place than we were, definitely," the England skipper said. "Going through such a chaotic summer teaches you a lot about the group you have. The way we have approached our cricket in this series has been very pleasing, and we want to keep that momentum going." He added that emerging from a period of uncertainty with clarity is "a really important part" of the team’s progress. "You can only deal with what's in front of you," Root noted, emphasizing that the side’s reaction to each challenge has defined their success.
Reflecting on the third Test, which turned into a tense encounter after Pakistan’s youngster Razaullah produced a blistering 81 off 63 balls on day three, Root said the opposition’s resurgence will ultimately benefit England. "The fact that we’ve been able to start that journey and win a series in the manner we have is very pleasing," he said.
"We had a little pushback from Pakistan yesterday, which, oddly enough, was good for the group. It tested us and we responded well." Root praised Razaullah’s attacking stroke‑play, marveling at the youngster’s power: "He hit some wonderful shots and made it very difficult to set fields. I don’t know how he didn’t pull a muscle swinging the bat that hard." Despite the pressure, England recovered with a clinical finish, highlighted by the decisive partnership that saw them chase down the target comfortably.
"That big partnership to see us home is exactly the sort of thing we’re after and puts us in a nice place going into the winter," Root said. While the series was dominated by half‑centuries – a total of 17 across three Tests – neither side managed a single hundred, marking the first three‑match Test series in England without a century since the 1888 Ashes. Some commentators raised concerns about the lack of big scores, but Root dismissed the worries.
"Everyone would love to make a century after getting set, but the nature of this summer and the surfaces we’ve played on have made it difficult for anyone," he explained. "It’s been across the board, not just us.
The pleasing thing is that from the start of the second innings we saw contributions from both Root and Cox, which is a step forward." Root stressed that reliance on a few players for big scores would be more worrying than a collective effort. "If we were depending on one or two individuals to score hundreds consistently, that would be a concern. The fact that everyone is contributing shows the depth of this group and that they are capable of performing at this level." Looking ahead, Root acknowledged that the winter tour will present new challenges, including different pitches and conditions, but he is confident the team can continue to make strides together.
"We’ll face different surfaces in South Africa, but if we keep taking forward steps as a unit, those big contributions will keep coming," he said. He also highlighted the team's ability to post sizable totals even in tough conditions, noting that England managed to score 400 runs twice during the series.
This resilience, he believes, will be crucial when adapting to the faster, bouncier tracks expected in South Africa. Beyond the immediate series, Root’s comments hint at a broader cultural shift within England cricket. The summer’s turbulence forced players and staff to confront internal issues head‑on, fostering a stronger sense of unity and purpose. By learning to thrive amid chaos, the side has built a mental toughness that could serve them well on future overseas tours.
Fans can continue to follow England’s journey throughout the international summer via Sky Sports, which will broadcast the upcoming white‑ball series against Sri Lanka, starting with the first T20 International on Tuesday. Those without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports deals or stream matches contract‑free with NOW.