It's an opportunity for all of us to prove a point: Root

All set to take on West Indies in a three-match Test series, Joe Root believes his new-look England side couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to prove themselves after a 0-4 hammering in Australia. Having been beaten 2-1 on their previous visit in 2018-19, England have won only one Test series in the Caribbean since 1968.  

"I think it's an opportunity for all of us to prove a point. We know that historically it's not an easy place for England to come and play, winning once in 50-odd years - but that's a great opportunity for the group. To come away from here winning would be a huge achievement, so it's something that we're very much looking forward to. It's a big challenge for us but something that we're very excited about," said Root ahead of the first Test, starting on Tuesday (March 8) in Antigua.

Root and Co. are currently at bottom of the World Test Championship table, with 10 points from 10 games. England have also left out James Anderson and Stuart Broad and will be trying a couple of new players. However, Root's first goal is still to win the series.

"You don't come into a Test series not wanting to win. I think along with that we have the opportunity to learn more about this team, and more about the players within it. So that's a side note, it would be a great advantage to come out of this tour as well as that, but we're very much committed to winning this series."

Talking about the conversations the team management has had with the players, Root said: "So far the most encouraging thing is we've had some very good, in-depth conversations as a team about how we collectively want to take things forward, and gained a lot of clarity on that.

"One thing that we've tried to do is make sure everyone is fully aware of what their individual roles are within the team, and how they are going to affect the game and help us win. That will give us a better understanding, give people clarity and what's needed to help this team moving forward.

"Within those conversations we've spoken very honestly, we've addressed things that needed to improve and so far we've put that into practice, in the limited chances that we've had. It will come under pressure and stress more now with the Test matches starting, but it's been a very good start and that's all you can judge it on. We're really pleased with how things have gone till now and looking forward to seeing that hopefully progress further throughout the games."

England have already announced a 12-man squad for the opening Test, with Chris Woakes and Craig Overton set to share the new ball for the first time. England must now decide whether to hand Saqib Mahmood his Test debut or opt for the variety of Jack Leach's left-arm spin. 

“I think it's really important that we look forward to this series with excitement, and those guys take that opportunity. It's really important that when opportunities come around in Test cricket you really grab them and I'm fully confident that those guys are in a really good place to go out and do that. 

“I thought the four-day game was a really positive step forward, our attitude towards it was excellent, the energy and buzz around the field, and the way guys improved throughout the whole game was really good. I think we made the most of what was a very docile wicket to be ready for this series. We know we're going to be judged on how we perform in these three games but we've given ourselves the best chance in the opportunities we've had to prepare.

"We put the 12 out last night, I think it's important that we weigh everything up and see how the wicket changes. It changed throughout practice yesterday. The amount of water that was on it at the start, how tacky it was. It will be interesting to look at it today and see how things change again and we'll make a decision off the back of that."