WE NEED A FLYING START
No place to hide for England this time says skipper Root
JOE ROOT says there will be no excuse for another false start when his side square up to Pakistan at OldTrafford today. England have lost the opening rubber of their past five series, against West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies again. Going further back, Root’s team have fallen at the first hurdle in eight out of their past 10, a run which includes a Pakistan ambush at Lord’s the last time they toured two years ago.
But after seeing England claim a come-from-behind 2-1 win against the Windies last month, skipper Root warned they will have no place to hide if they slip up again this week. “We have a big focus on starting well,” he said.
“It is something we want to get right. We are very aware that in previous series we have
not got off to the best start and we have been 1-0 down, so the focus this time is trying to get a win early and trying to drive the series from there.
“We have three games under our belt coming into this and we have played some really good cricket in the last two, so guys are up to speed.
“We are familiar with the rhythm of Test cricket, too, so there is no excuse.
“We have just got to make sure we play the conditions, the situation in front of us and play well for long periods of time like we did in the last two games.”
In an era of a permanently rolling treadmill, it is questionable whether “ring rust” explains England’s poor starts.
It is tempting to suggest they struggle to get to grips with things when confronted with a changing skill-set. If that is the
case, then a Pakistan side containing a top-notch seam attack could be a dangerous animal, with or without a recent Test outing to warm up.
Pakistan have shown no fear of a country that suits their talents with the Duke’s ball as much as the hosts, following draws in 2016 (2-2) and 2018 (1-1).
Yet England would be disappointed to make it three in a row, particularly as Root insists that in his own bowling line-up he has “all bases covered”.
Whether Ben Stokes can bowl after failing to convince himself or management he is over his quad injury looks debatable.
After being forced indoors yesterday, Root said they would take a late decision with Zak Crawley no doubt sleeping with fingers crossed that Stokes is fit.
If not, the team’s star allrounder will play as a batsman only while Crawley carries the drinks.
“We were forced into making a change in terms of the balance
of the side with Ben unable to bowl in the last game,” said Root. “To know that works does fill everyone with confidence.”
Root, left, admitted with a smile that Stuart Broad has been inked on the teamsheet, sparing everybody another angry outburst and hopefully guaranteeing another hatful of victims after his 10-wicket haul here last week.
Jimmy Anderson should join Broad in the team, with Chris Woakes maybe unlucky to lose out to young left-armer Sam Curran and Mark Wood hoping he has done enough in the nets to edge out Jofra Archer.