Root calls for adaptability as England build towards World Cup

Joe Root has called for England to embrace greater adaptability as they continue their preparations for next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Register for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup ticket ballot

Speaking ahead of England's ODI series against Australia, the 35-year-old emphasised the importance of gaining experience across varied conditions as a young squad continues its evolution.

"We're a team that wants to be more adaptable. If we are going to challenge that World Cup, we're going to have to be able to adapt our games," Root told reporters in Perth on Wednesday.

"We're quite young and inexperienced in many ways. So the more experience we have on different surfaces, different situations in games... the more we'll learn, develop and become a more rounded team.

"We've come from Pakistan. We've learned a huge amount there. Over the course of this series, we're going to have to be really clear on how we want to get the best out of these three games. So that's the challenge for us."

England arrive in Australia on the back of a tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where they took one win from four group matches.

Root highlighted the enthusiasm within the group and backed the side's emerging talent to make the most of the change in conditions.

"They're very exciting. They've got huge amounts of energy, huge amounts of talent," Root said of his younger teammates.

"They've done very well domestically, and they've got great skill sets.

"I'm sure they'll be desperate to try and utilise the surfaces after coming from Pakistan, where you might not have the bounce.

"They've been great in this lead-up phase, and I'm sure if they get that opportunity, they'll put the best foot forward."

The opening game of the series holds personal significance for Root, who is set to mark a major personal milestone when he takes the field in Sydney.

"I played my 100th ODI in Sydney and to be back here for my 200th game is obviously a huge privilege," Root said.

"As a kid in the back garden or on the driveway, playing little Test matches and international games against my brother and my friends with a table, twigs in the ground... to play as many games I have is a real privilege.

"I'm very proud of that and hopefully we can continue our development as a team over the next little while ahead of what's a very exciting World Cup not far down the line."

With nearly a decade and a half of international experience behind him, Root reflected on how continuous learning and adapting to different team dynamics have shaped his longevity at the highest level.

"As a player, you've just got to keep evolving with it, and you've got to keep finding ways of understanding the rhythm of the game," Root said.

"I've played alongside a number of different players in a number of different teams. Some very successful, some at the other end of the scale as well. And through that you gain a huge amount of experience and understand the different things that are required in different moments.

"I do feel like that will obviously always help me now for the rest of my career in terms of having that in the bank."

Series schedule

• First ODI: November 13, Perth Stadium, Perth

• Second ODI: November 15, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

• Third ODI: November 17, Bellerive Oval, Hobart