Root urges Stoneman to seize day
JOe ROOT admits he is baffled by england’s struggles to find an opening partner for Alastair Cook — and has challenged Mark Stoneman to make the slot his own ahead of the Ashes.
The Surrey batsman is expected to become the 12th player to partner Cook at the top of the order when the Test series against West Indies begins at edgbaston on Thursday.
And captain Root believes Stoneman can be england’s answer to what has been a problem, with the winter trip Down Under approaching.
‘It’s a strange one,’ he said. ‘You look at the talent and the guys who have played and you think they have every chance of being able to do it, but unfortunately it’s not been the case. A lot of great openers’ strengths is when they do get in they make big, big scores. Unfortunately on a few occasions guys haven’t quite managed to do that. It’s an opportunity for Mark to come in and do that.’
Stoneman, 30, is one of two new faces named in the squad for the opening Test, along with 20–year- old leg- spinner Mason Crane.
Some have taken the view that Crane has been selected so he can gain experience of the england environment, and is unlikely to play. Root, however, says that is not the case.
‘Yes — of course,’ he said when asked if Crane could make the XI. ‘He’s in the squad. We wanted to give him an opportunity to see what he can do for the team and see how he fared in Test cricket. It’s a great opportunity to get him involved and for him to show everyone in the squad what’s he’s capable of doing.’
Root, 26, took over the captaincy ahead of the 3-1 victory over South Africa but he played down his influence in team selection. ‘I don’t think I do get the final say,’ he said. ‘I give my input as everyone else does and I’m generally happy with the squads I have been given.’
Joe Root is an Ambassador for health and life insurer Vitality, inspiring healthy and active lifestyles. Go to: www.vitality.co.uk