Joe Root sees BBL stint as 'head start' for Ashes

England Test cricket team captain Joe Root, who is all set to make his maiden appearance in the ongoing eighth edition of the Big Bash League, believes that the tournament would help him gain a "head start" for the next year's Ashes series against Australia.

The 27-year-old, however, cautioned that there is still a lot of time for Ashes and he is looking to get as much information as possible about the Australian players playing in the tournament.

"I will keep an eye on things while I'm out here," he told presspersons. "[I will] get a close view of certain players within this tournament and watching the Test matches on the tele," ICC quoted Root, as saying.

"There's a lot of time between now and that Ashes series and a lot of things can happen and change quite drastically in that space of time. So [it's about getting] as much information as you can now, but understanding that it doesn't always carry forward into six months' time. Any head start you can get ahead of a big series like that is crucial," he added.

The Sydney Thunder player, who has struggled to cement his spot in the national T20 side, hoped that the tournament would act as a huge opportunity for him to "play a block of T20 cricket." He further stated that the competition is a "nice addition" for the upcoming T20 World Cup which is slated to be held in Australia in 2020.

"I watch the tournament every year. It looks like a great spectacle to be involved in. The cricket looks right at the top of the game. It's a great opportunity to play a block of T20 cricket, which I've not had for a long time now," Root said.

"The T20 World Cup will be here in a year's time or so. That was a nice addition. But more than anything it was getting the opportunity to play in one of the better domestic tournaments around the world," he added.

Sydney Thunder will play their opening match of the ongoing Big Bash League against Melbourne Stars on December 21 at the Docklands Stadium, Melbourne.