Joe Root has hinted that his remarkable Test career may yet include one final Ashes challenge in Australia, revealing he would “love” to be part of England’s 2029–30 Ashes tour, even though he would be approaching his 39th birthday by that stage.

Speaking in Sydney after producing another masterclass with the bat, England’s all-time leading run-scorer suggested that the lure of unfinished business Down Under could yet extend his international career for another four years.

Root’s Sublime 160 Anchors England in Sydney

Root’s comments came after a magnificent 160 on the second day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, his 41st Test century and one of the finest innings of England’s difficult tour. The knock helped England reach 384 all out, offering rare resistance in a series dominated by Australia.

“This is my fourth tour out here, and I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll get to come back to Australia,” Root said. “One thing I always try to focus on is opportunity.”

When asked directly whether he would like to be involved in the next Ashes series in Australia, Root replied cautiously but optimistically: “Who knows? I’d love to. We’ll see how things unfold in time.”

A Career Still Chasing an Ashes Win Down Under

Despite one of the most decorated careers in modern cricket, Joe Root has never won an Ashes series in Australia. England’s dramatic victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground earlier in the series marked his first-ever Test win in Australia, coming at the 18th attempt.

Root’s previous three tours Down Under ended in heavy defeats — 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0 — with Root captaining England during the latter two whitewashes. This history has shaped much of his Ashes narrative, making his latest century in Sydney all the more significant.

Records Within Reach for England’s Greatest Run-Scorer

Root’s innings took him to 13,937 Test runs, placing him less than 2,000 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar, the leading run-scorer in Test cricket history. Currently playing his 163rd Test, Root would have a realistic chance of surpassing Tendulkar’s record tally of 200 Test caps should he continue into his late 30s.

Already a two-time Ashes winner on home soil, Root remains central to England’s long-term Test ambitions, particularly as the team transitions away from the era of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Chris Woakes.

Mixed Fortunes in the 2025 Ashes Series

England surrendered the current Ashes series after defeats in the opening three Tests, but avoided a clean sweep with their memorable victory at the MCG. The win marked a milestone moment for both Root and current captain Ben Stokes, offering hope that England can begin reshaping their relationship with Australian conditions.

“It was great to win at the MCG,” Root said. “Hopefully that gives the team good memories when we come back here in the future.”

He added that for many players in the current squad, this is their first tour of Australia — an important psychological shift. “If they can take good memories from this tour, the baggage of previous generations might not be there for them,” Root explained.

Physical Setback During Australia’s Reply

Root spent almost two hours off the field during Australia’s response to England’s total, sparking concerns about his fitness. It was later confirmed that the absence was due to cramp in his back, not a more serious injury.

Australia closed day two on 166-2, responding strongly despite Root’s efforts earlier in the match.

A Long and Emotional History in Sydney

Sydney has been a ground of extremes for Root. On his first Ashes tour in 2013–14, he was dropped for the Sydney Test — the only time he has been omitted in his entire Test career. Four years later, during the 2017–18 series, he was hospitalized after batting in temperatures exceeding 47°C, illness preventing him from completing his post-series duties as captain.

Earlier in this tour, Root finally registered his first Ashes hundred in Australia, scoring a century in Brisbane. He repeated the now-familiar shoulder-shrug celebration upon reaching three figures in Sydney, directing it toward the Barmy Army in recognition of their unwavering support.

Gratitude for England’s Supporters

Root was keen to acknowledge England’s traveling fans, even in the face of another lost Ashes campaign.

“We’ve had amazing support throughout this series,” he said. “We haven’t achieved what we wanted to achieve, but that support has never wavered. That celebration was my way of saying thank you.”

As England look to salvage pride in the final days of the Sydney Test, Root’s performance stands as a reminder of his enduring class — and of a player who may yet have one last Ashes story to write in Australia.