Joe Root his first golden duck in his ODI career. The 5th ODI was better for Root as he scored a quick 21 before being bowled and also took the wicket of George Bailey. England lost the series 2–1 and Root finished the series with 36 runs and 1 wicket. Root was selected for the 2013-14 Ashes series. He was selected at number 6 for the first Test as Michael Carberry was given the opening batsman role alongside Alastair Cook. Root only managed 2 runs from 7 balls in the first innings before being caught off a Mitchell Johnson delivery. In the
Joe Root and England succumbed to a 2–0 series loss. Root finished the series with 287 runs, England's second highest run scorer. Having been reinstated into the ODI squad, Root batted at number 3 in the first ODI however he was out for 0. In the second ODI he supported Alex Hales's century with 63 from 77 balls to help England to a 95 run win. The third ODI Joe provided 11 runs in England's successful chase, however in the fourth ODI Root scored another half century, this time hitting 71 runs from 71 balls in England's total of 355/5, as England