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 balls to help back up Jos Buttler's century on the way to England's total of 399 (their third highest ever One Day score. In the second ODI he only made 38 before being bowled. Root backed this up with his 7th ODI century scoring 125 in a losing effort in the third ODI. During the fourth ODI, Root scored 109, his second consecutive century, in another losing effort leaving the series drawn 2–2 coming into the fifth ODI. South Africa went on to win the series 3–2. Root finished as England's second highest scorer with 351 runs. In the second