"Can't have control..."- Joe Root mocks David Warner's 'surfboard' comment ahead of Ashes 2025/26

A few days ago, the former Australian opening batter, David Warner, went after Joe Root, the second leading red-ball run-getter in the history after Sachin Tendulkar, as the latter is yet to score a Test century down under in the Ashes. That remains the only place where Root hasn’t scored a Test century despite playing more than five red-ball encounters.

Warner, at the start of The Hundred 2025 for the London Spirits, claimed that Joe Root would have to take the surfboard off his front foot, which is a perception of how often he gets trapped leg before the stumps against Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

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“I can't have any control or say on how people see the game or talk in an interview. It is irrelevant. What more can I do about it? Just keep my surfboard out of the way and make sure it is not a talking point in 100 days. I guess it is all part of the fun, right? We will see what happens, but it is not really in my nature to get too verbal.” Root expressed during the recent interview.

Joe Root responds to David Warner’s surfboard comment before Ashes 2025/26

Root and Warner will meet each other during the derby at Lord’s when the Trent Rockets meet the Spirits. The former has smashed nine half-centuries at an average of 35.68, which is well below his career average of 51.29 as he grabbed 537 runs in the five Tests against India this home summer.

“Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd Test caps under my belt, I feel I couldn't be more ready for it. The thing that stands out for me is that I probably wanted it (a century) way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important.” Joe Root addressed.

“I was captain, Covid [during the 2021-22 defeat], there was the Stokes incident, the time before that, the Jonny headbutt incident as well. This time, I want to just go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It is a beautiful country, it is a great place to go and play cricket.” The former England captain concluded.