Joe’s bowled over with his new role

JOE ROOT says he is becoming addicted to the feeling of taking international wickets.

Root, England’s new Test captain, has made his name by scoring mountains of runs. But after his significant displays with the ball in the recent ODIs against Ireland, the Yorkshireman says taking wickets with his part-time off-spin beats churning out hundreds for his country.

The 26-year-old is now hoping to become England’s second spinner during next month’s Champions Trophy after taking five wickets against the Irish, including three during Sunday’s win at Lord’s when he bowled 10 overs in an ODI for the first time.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a bornagain bowler but it was nice to roll the arm over again and contribute,” said Root. “It’s nice to be a part of a couple of pretty comprehensive wins at the start of a really important summer.

“Taking wickets is so much better than scoring runs! Hopefully the more I do it I’ll still keep that level of enjoyment. I can see why bowlers get so excited, because it’s great fun.”

England’s tactic of playing just one frontline spinner against Ireland in Adil Rashid could be replicated when the Champions Trophy begins next month.

Asked if he would be comfortable in the second spinner’s role during the tournament, Root said: “Potentially yes. It could be an option but we’ll wait and see. We have so many options and such depth within the squad.”

Root, appointed Alastair Cook’s successor as Test captain in February, will not lead his country until July. But he has told England he does not want to be rested for the threematch T20 series against South Africa that comes before the first Test against the same opponents at Lord’s.

It is expected that England’s workload in their busiest-ever summer, which began last Friday and does not finish until September 29, will mean that Root will be held out of his country’s matches in the shortest form of the game. It has been suggested he might not find a way back into the team as England look for power players more capable of regularly clearing the ropes as they build up to the next World T20 in Australia in 2020.

“I don’t want to end up not playing Twenty20 cricket,” said Root. “I feel I’ve still got a lot to offer in that department and I’ve got lots of ambitions to be a part of that side.

“There are definitely areas I will continue to work on in terms of power but, over a relatively short international career, I’ve found ways of adapting.”

JOE ROOT was speaking during the launch of NatWest’s ‘Cricket has no boundaries’ campaign which celebrates the sport’s inclusivity. NatWest is the new Principal Partner of England Cricket having supported the game since 1981. Find out more at natwest.com/ cricket #NoBoundaries

This is much better than scoring runs