Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SO WHERE DO WE JOE FROM HERE?
‘We have to turn things around... do that and we can go places’ says Root
JOE ROOT has demanded a response from his players in Leeds this week to avoid a hat-trick of series defeats for the first time in a decade.
Not since the turmoil of the Kevin Pietersen/peter Moores era 37 series ago have England lost three on the bounce, but if they fail to win at Headingley they will claim another unwanted record.
Uncertainty remains over Ben Stokes’ participation owing to a sore hamstring which could lead to a debut for 19-year-old Sam Curran in a weakened line-up.
But rather than feel sorry for themselves, Root wants his team to prove a point that their poor run of results is not a fair reflection of the quality in the dressing room.
“It’s very easy to feel sorry for yourself when things aren’t going well,” said Root on his home ground. “But there is no place for ‘poormes’ in international sport.
“If you look at the best players in the world, I’m sure they have the approach of going out there and being determined to put it right.
“Maybe being a little bit stubborn at times and maybe wanting to prove a point to certain people. I’m looking forward to getting out there and turning things round. If we do that, I think we’ll fly
– we’ll go places quite quickly.
“Individually you’ve got to show how good you are. It’s ultimately about performing under pressure.”
Not enough players, including the captain, have done that lately, which begs the question how good actually are they?
A 2-0 series defeat here would send England to seventh in the world. A lowly spot that should be utterly unacceptable to the ECB.
Coach Trevor Bayliss has been feeling the heat over recent displays, but Root insists it is the players who owe him a performance.
“I love working with Trev. I think he does some really great things for this team,” added Root. “But he can’t do it for us on the field.
“Ultimately we have to play better. After last week, if you see strong characters come out and perform, that tells a lot about the group.
“That’s what I want from the guys. To stand up and be counted.”