England open way for Roy to strike out
REPORTS JOE ROOT believes England must seize the opportunity provided by Alastair Cook’s international retirement to adopt a more aggressive and exciting approach to Test batting.
England will give Rory Burns and Keaton Jennings every chance to nail down their spots as Test openers in the three-match series against Sri Lanka starting next month.
But the Test captain hinted selectors and management are also considering a more aggressive style, with Jason Roy at the forefront of their thinking for the top of the order.
Burns was called up for Cook while Jennings will be given one more chance after a difficult summer chiefly on account of a decent record on turning pitches.
However Roy will be on duty in whites with the Lions in the UAE against Pakistan A testing Plan B of openers able to transfer white-ball aggression into the Test arena. But Root has hinted at a change in strategy longer term.
“Obviously if another Cook comes along and that is going to be the best option for us to
go on and make double header. Root has abandoned the plan to bat at three and, after a summer chopping and changing, admitted his own game has not been at its “fluent” best since last winter. His average returns with the bat are currently worse than in any other year since 2013.
But Root hopes a century in the final match of the summer against India can be the precursor to a return to form against Sri Lanka.
“It was frustrating to have the series I had. I could very easily put three hundreds in it instead of one and then it looks like a cracking series,” he said.
“I made it difficult by giving a few chances and sometimes you just need luck. I felt unfortunate to be run out twice when I felt set and ready to go and make them count.
“It has not been the most fluent year for me but there have been some crucial innings that have won games for us in white and red-ball cricket and that is almost what you judge yourself on – how many games you can help win.
“It is nice knowing that I have a hundred in the bank going into those conditions as well. I quite like facing spin, and I’m looking forward to the challenges that throws us.”