England are preparing for one of cricket’s most iconic battles as they gear up for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. While bookmakers have labelled Ben Stokes’s side as underdogs, the tourists remain unfazed, carrying both confidence and form into one of the most daunting tours in world cricket.
Fresh from a 2-2 draw against a powerful India side, England have reason to believe they can defy the odds. Their batting lineup is led by two of the world’s premier Test batters — Joe Root, ranked No.1, and Harry Brook, sitting just behind him at No.2. Root, England’s all-time leading run scorer, knows that while the odds might not be in their favour, the only thing that matters is performance on the field.
“It doesn't matter - you turn up and you've got five opportunities to beat Australia in Australia,” Root said.
“You've got to just do everything to prepare well, make sure you're ready, understand the conditions, the opposition, the external challenges that come with playing in those conditions, in Australia and enjoy it for what it is.”
Confidence in Youth and Experience
England’s touring party boasts a blend of seasoned campaigners and fearless young talent. Root, who made his Test debut back in 2012, has seen the highs and lows of Ashes tours before. He understands the unique pressures that come with playing in front of Australian crowds, on unforgiving pitches, against a team that thrives at home.
Yet this squad appears more balanced than many that have gone before. Brook, who was named England’s player of the series against India, has emerged as a genuine match-winner. His fearless stroke play and consistency at such an early stage of his career have not only lifted the batting order but also eased the pressure on Root.
The pair’s memorable 195-run partnership in the final Test against India is still fresh in the memory. Though England narrowly missed out on clinching the series, the performance highlighted how dangerous they can be when Brook and Root occupy the crease together.
Root’s Pietersen Comparison
Perhaps the most intriguing element of Root’s reflections comes in his comparison between Brook and former England star Kevin Pietersen. Root, who shared the dressing room with Pietersen at the start of his career, recalled the aura Pietersen carried at the crease.
"Harry Brook, he makes my life so much easier, the amount of pressure he just puts on bowlers," Root explained on The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket podcast.
"When KP was at the crease and his aura, his presence was quite intimidating, whereas with Harry it's more about how he can hit you anywhere at any time.
"You just don't know when it's going to come. As a bowler, you think if they hit the top of off stump, it can either go over fine leg or it could go mid-off."
Root admitted batting alongside Brook can feel like a gift for a teammate.
"You're batting at the other end thinking this is Christmas because there's a lot of people out there trying to control the rate and in many ways they stop trying to get you out, they try to stop you scoring.
"When you've got that mentality, or feel you've got that mentality against you as a batting group, it makes life a lot easier. There's not that threat there from the opposition."
The Challenge Ahead in Australia
The Ashes in Australia is widely regarded as the ultimate test for any cricketer. The fast, bouncy pitches and vociferous crowds make the environment one of the most hostile in world sport. England’s struggles Down Under in recent decades are well documented — they have not won an Ashes series in Australia since 2010–11.
But this time, Stokes’s men believe they have a squad capable of breaking the drought. Their aggressive approach under coach Brendon McCullum has redefined their Test cricket identity, and it is this fearless brand that they will carry into the cauldron of Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth.
Australia, of course, remain favourites. Their batting lineup is anchored by Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, while their pace attack of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc is regarded as one of the best in the world. But England’s confidence comes from knowing they can unsettle even the strongest opponents by sticking to their philosophy.
Root, Stokes, and Brook will be central to that effort. If the top order can weather the early storm and build partnerships, England’s batting could thrive. Meanwhile, their bowling attack, led by veteran James Anderson and rising star Ollie Robinson, will be tasked with exploiting any Australian weaknesses.
Root’s Leadership Beyond the Captaincy
Though no longer captain, Root continues to be England’s most reliable batter and a crucial voice in the dressing room. His perspective and calmness provide balance to Stokes’s fiery leadership style. Together, the duo have created a team culture built on positivity and belief.
Root’s comparison of Brook to Pietersen is telling. It reflects the excitement surrounding Brook’s potential and the way his style fits into England’s new era of aggressive Test cricket. While Pietersen once embodied England’s fearless approach, Brook may be the player to take it further.
As the countdown to the Ashes begins, the talk of betting odds and underdog labels is unlikely to faze this England side. For Root, the challenge is simple: prepare well, embrace the conditions, and seize the opportunity.
The Ashes remains cricket’s greatest rivalry. And even as underdogs, England know that with their current squad, they have the tools to make history once again on Australian soil.
