Trescothick backs Root to break century drought Down Under

England batting coach Marcus Trescothick has backed top-ranked Test batter Joe Root to end his century drought in Australia as the two traditional rivals gear up for the Ashes 2025 opener in Perth, starting November 21.

Root heads into the series holding a firm lead at the top of the ICC Test batting rankings, but the seasoned campaigner has yet to conquer one of his biggest hurdles, performing consistently against Australia away from home.

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The 34-year-old has never featured in an away Test victory over Australia and, despite amassing 39 Test centuries in his illustrious career, is yet to register a hundred Down Under. His record from 14 previous matches across the last three Ashes tours remains a rare gap in his otherwise glittering resume.

Trescothick, however, pointed to Root’s transformation under head coach Brendon McCullum, expressing faith that the right-hander will finally break his century drought when the Ashes begin in Perth on November 21, as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.

“The way he’s gone in the last couple of years will probably explain he’s comfortable with what he’s trying to do, how he’s playing his game,” Trescothick said.

“His game has gone to the next level and hence the reason where he is in the rankings. You would be very surprised if he doesn’t carry on in that same sort of vein with the style of play and the type of player he is,” he said.

England will play just one warm-up fixture before the first Test, facing the England Lions in a three-day match at Lilac Hill in Perth starting Thursday. Root is expected to get ample time in the middle, with Trescothick confirming that every squad member will feature across the two sides during the practice game.

However, the batting coach made it clear that performances in the warm-up clash are unlikely to influence England’s selection for the series opener.

“I guess everyone has an opportunity to stake their claim. As I mentioned, how consistent we’ve been with our team selection, it’s been very level,” he said.

“Bar the odd injury we’ve not really chopped and changed a great deal. It’s definitely not going to change dramatically before the start of an Ashes series because someone puts their hand up by taking five wickets or gets 150. The team has been what it has been for a period of time for a reason, so that when you come to big series you are more settled and confident going into it,” he added.