Cook exit may lead to a batting strategy switch

big scores, then fantastic,” he said. “But if it is a Gilchrist that opens the batting and goes out and whacks it to all parts and he is next in line, let’s roll with it and give ourselves the best chance of consistently getting 400.”

Root conceded the influence of short-form cricket has slowed the production line for traditional openers but said Test cricket was right to embrace and evolve with that new reality rather than reject it. “If it means opening batters bat in a more one-day fashion long term is not a bad thing for the game,” he said. “It makes for exciting viewing. Ultimately it makes Test cricket as exciting as it can be.

“Test cricket is in a transition period and it is going to take longer because it is a longer format, and it will take a brave side to find a formula that is consistent and works around the world.

“In time we will see a more mirrored image of how oneday cricket is played and that is not a bad thing. It will not reduce games to two or three days if you get surfaces right but it’ll be great fun to watch and make for a great spectacle to be playing and involved in.”

Selectors were close to picking Roy in the Test squad after the transfer success of white-ball specialists Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid against Pakistan and India this summer.

Depending on what happens on the spinfriendly tracks in Galle, Kandy and Colombo before Christmas, and in January and February in West Indies, Roy could find himself with a big part to play in next summer’s World Cup-Ashes

Joe Root met schoolchildren to help launch nationwide community project ‘The Village Green’ which sees hotel chain Village Hotel Club commit more than 30,000 hours per year to volunteering in the community.