Root remains calm amid ‘spicy’ Australia talk
JOE Root is determined the “spicy” nature of England’s latest clash with Australia won’t prove a distraction when the arch rivals meet for a place in the World Cup final.
Tou r na ment host s Eng la nd a nd reig ni ng cha mpions Aust ra l ia wi l l lock horns in Thursday’s second semif i na l at Edgbaston i n a f i x t ure t hat takes place just weeks before the start of t he Ashes series bet ween t he old foes.
Austra lia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has a lready done his best to unsett le E ng l a nd by i n s i s t i ng “i t ’s t hei r World Cup to lose”.
But Root, a member of the England side that lost to Australia in the group stage, told reporters at Edgbaston on Monday: “Nathan has a lot to say, a lot of the time, so you just take it with a pinch of salt.
“It might be a way of taking pressure off himself and his team. I try not to get too involved to be honest.
“I think there have been times within games when it has got a bit spicy and there have been a few exchanges on the field.
“But genera l ly we w i l l go about t h i ngs i n ou r ow n way a nd just get ourselves ready as best we can,” added Root, who was i nvolved i n a n i nfa mous a ltercat ion wit h Austra lia’s David Warner in a Birmingham bar during the 2013 Champions Trophy.
England have yet to win the World Cup and made the last of their three losing appearances in t he f inal back in 1992, while f ive-time champions Austra lia have never lost a World Cup semi-f inal.
England, however, have won 10 of t he l a st 12 one-day i nter nat iona ls bet ween the sides.
“There has been a lot made of the fear factor of playing against Australia, but I think this group of players over the last four years, their experiences against Australia are very positive,” said Root.
“They have got a lot of success in the bank. We will be drawing on that confidence that over a long period of time now we have been successful against Australia and we should take that into Thursday.
“It’s a great chance and a great week. It does feel special.”