Root refuses to slam players who opt out

JOE ROOT refuses to decry any England team-mates who opt out of first-class cricket. Alex Hales and Adil Rashid both caused a stir last month when they signed whiteball only deals with their counties, effectively eliminating themselves from Test consideration for the foreseeable future. Root, however, insists they have every right to tailor their own career as they navigate a jampacked schedule. ‘I don’t think it would be fair to make an example of those two guys,’ said England’s Test captain. ‘There’s a deeper issue that needs sorting out.’ He added: ‘To criticise the players is wrong. You’ve got to make it more attractive to go and play red-ball cricket somehow.’