Root eager to register Ashes firsts in Australia this year

England veteran Joe Root believes he is well placed to register a pair of firsts during the eagerly-awaited Ashes series against Australia later this year.

Root travels to Australia in November for a five-match Test series against the Aussies that will form part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle and for the No.1 ranked Test batter the series will take on extra significance given his past struggles with that bat Down Under.

While Root is winless in Tests against the Aussies away from home across 14 previous contests, it's the fact he has never scored a century on Australian shores that still concerns the 34-year-old heading into this year's tour.

Root has scored nine half-centuries and averages a decent 35.68 from 27 Test innings in Australia, but the right-hander is yet to reach triple figures in an Ashes series away from home despite having registered an impressive 39 Test centuries across his glittering career.

But Root thinks he still remains at the peak of his powers and is confident he can break his duck and bring up that elusive Test century in Australia during the upcoming battle for the Ashes.

"Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd Test caps under my belt, I feel I couldn't be more ready for it," Root said.

"The thing that stands out for me is I probably wanted it (a century) way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important."

England's tour of Australia will be crucial for the side's hopes of qualifying or a first World Test Championship Final, with the team currently sitting in fourth place on the standings following the recent 2-2 draw with India on home soil.

Gaining a positive result in Australia will be important for England and Root thinks the side is better prepared this time than they were on previous visits to the southern hemisphere.

"There were a lot of distractions," Root said of the last two Ashes series in Australia.

"I was captain, Covid (in 2021-22), there was the (Ben) Stokes incident the time before that, the Jonny (Bairstow) headbutt incident as well.

"This time I want to just go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It is a beautiful country it is a great place to go and play cricket.

"I know if I put my best performances in then everything else will look after itself."

Series schedule:

First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-25
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-8
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8