England captain Ben Stokes called Steve Smith and Joe Root the greatest batsmen of their generation on Thursday and said keeping the Australian skipper quiet was crucial to winning the Ashes.
Joe Root heads into the Ashes, beginning on Friday in Perth, ranked as the world's best batsman with a colossal 39 Test hundreds to his name... but still waiting for his first ton in Australia.
Skipper Ben Stokes hailed Joe Root as England's greatest batsman Wednesday and backed him to fire in the Ashes against Australia, while hyping up his team's vaunted pace attack.
Joe Root insists England can end their 10-year long Ashes drought as they bid to finally "bring the urn home" from their tour to Australia later this year.
Joe Root has brushed aside David Warner's jibe that he will need to "take the surfboard off his front leg" if England are to triumph in Australia in the upcoming Ashes series.
Harry Brook and Joe Root both hit hundreds before England's series finale against India was left on a knife edge after an Oval downpour cut short Sunday's fourth day.
Ricky Ponting is convinced there is "absolutely no reason" why Joe Root cannot surpass India's Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket's all-time leading run-scorer after the England star leapfrogged the Australian into second place on Friday.
Joe Root etched his name even deeper into Test cricket history with a sublime unbeaten century at Old Trafford, becoming the second-highest run-scorer in the format.
Joe Root's unbeaten 99 checked India's progress on Thursday's opening day of the third Test against England at Lord's.
Joe Root hit his highest one-day international score, making 166 not out as England beat the West Indies by three wickets in Cardiff on Sunday.
With Jos Buttler stepping down from the role after a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, the search is on for England's new white-ball captain. While several names are in contention, Joe Root - the most experienced member of the squad - has ruled himself out for the role.
England captain Jos Buttler on Wednesday said Joe Root will play a "crucial role" in India on his ODI return and as they build up to the Champions Trophy this month.