RAGING ROOT
Skipper hits back at Ponting and vows to restore English pride
JoE Root yesterday vowed to show Ricky Ponting he is man enough to lead England’s attempt to regain pride from another lost Ashes.
The former Australia captain said before the Boxing Day Test that Root looked like a ‘lost child’ in the aftermath of the defeat in Perth that meant England had again surrendered the urn before Christmas.
But Root, while confirming Tom Curran would make his Test debut in front of 90,000 at the MCG, hit back to insist he is made of the right stuff to try to ensure England do not crash to their third whitewash in four away Ashes series.
‘He’s entitled to his opinion but he doesn’t spend any time in our dressing room,’ said Root of Ponting. ‘I disagree with what he’s said and I’m sure if you ask any of the players or support staff they would back me up on that.
‘I don’t think I go about things as a little boy. I have my own way of doing things and I think it’s important you don’t try to be something you’re not. There are occasions when you have to be strong in front of the group and I know I can do that and have done that.’
Curran, 22, was selected to replace the injured Craig overton for the fourth Test ahead of leg- spinner Mason Crane and forgotten fast bowler Jake Ball. Mark Wood was not considered because England are not yet convinced he is fit enough for a five- day Test after his latest injury setback.
‘It wasn’t an easy decision and we thought about it a lot but Tom is a real competitor and offers a lot,’ said Root after England’s Christses
Christmas Day training session at the MCG. CG. ‘ Sometimes you u have to go with h your gut. Tom always wants to get into a contest and you know you will always get everything out of him. He’s a feisty y character who gets ts the ball to move ove around a bit and at no point will he hidede from any challenge. That stands out for me. If it becomes hard he will give it everything and it’s a great chance for him.’
Clearly England believe that Crane could become their first-choice spin option sooner rather than later but for now took the more conservative option of selecting Curran, aanother mmedium-fast bowbowler, rather than the leg-spinner.spi ‘ He’s bbeen very impressive and is very close to playing now because of the way he’s gone about things in practice,’ said Root of the 20-year-old Crane. ‘He’s given a really good account of himself on this trip but looking at the surface here we wanted to go with something different.’
England’s challenge going into the Boxing Day Test was trying to avoid a repeat of their disastrous trip here four years ago when they fell apart after the Ashes were lost in Perth amid bitter recriminations off the field.
‘There’s quite a few differences this time,’ insisted Root. ‘We’ve not had anyone retire yet (Graeme Swann), we’ve not had anyone have to go home ( Steven Finn) and there’s not been the same struggles behind the scenes (the corrosive Kevin Pietersen affair).
‘We have been more in the contest this time and that’s the frustrating thing. That’s the carrot that’s dangled in front of us this week. There are opportunities there and we have to really take them when we get the chance.’