England Test captain Joe Root will use his stint in the Big Bash League as somewhat of a reconnaissance mission for next year’s Ashes series.

Root is playing for the Sydney Thunder and will return to Australia with England in July for five Tests.

‘I will keep an eye on things while I’m out here – and get a close view of certain opponents while I am in the tournament,’ he told ESPNcricinfo.

‘There is a lot of time between now and the Ashes series. A lot of things can change in that space of time. A lot of things can happen and things can change drastically.

‘Trying to get as much information as you can now and understanding that it doesn’t always carry forward into six months’ time is important, but any head start you can get into a series like that is crucial.’

Australia are currently hosting a four-Test series against India. The tourists won the first Test and the hosts the second. The third and fourth will be played in Sydney and Melbourne respectively.

‘I will be watching the Test series on the television, too,’ concluded Root.

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