MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: England captain Joe Root speaks during a press conference at Old Trafford on August 3, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
England could bring several fresh faces to Australia this summer and captain Joe Root has warned his teammates to be prepared for the hostile environment.
Root faces his biggest test yet as captain, when his young side tour Australia for the most prestigious series in Test cricket, the Ashes, later this year.
The 25-year-old recently oversaw the blooding of three new faces in the recent series against South Africa and should they remain in the team come November, Root has warned them to prepare for the aggressive Australian crowds.
“It was very hostile,” Root said in an interview with The Telegraph.
“Quite aggressive at times, especially off the field. There were a few chants from the crowd that were quite personal at times, quite offensive.
"I thought they might give us a bit of banter, but it was more than that. I think they see it as humour. You do get a hard time, but when you win it’s that bit more enjoyable."
But Root said the unity in the dressing room this time around will hold them in good stead.
“We’re fortunate to have a dressing room full of good blokes," he said.
“You come into the team thinking of Jimmy Anderson the bowler, or Alastair Cook the batsman.
"Then they come in the dressing room and you see Jimmy Anderson, the good bloke. Alastair Cook, the good bloke. It’s a nice environment to come into.”
Root has been in blistering form of late, currently sitting at No.2 in the ICC Test batting rankings behind only Australian skipper, Steve Smith. Fellow Englishman Jonny Bairstow also features in the top 10, sitting at No.7.
The first Test of the 2017/18 Ashes series begins on November 23 at the Gabba.