JOE FINDS A CURE AFTER SYDNEY SICKENER

JOE ROOT has gone from his worst experience to his best as England captain in the space of nine months and is well enough to talk about it. In January it was left to James Anderson to do the post mortem on a horrible 4-0 Ashes reverse while Root was violently ill in a Sydney dressing room, , but here in Southampton he was a picture of victorious health with India beaten in the series with a game to spare. Root said: “I think it’s ’s been the best experience for me as captain, it’s certainly been the most enjoyable. “I feel I’ve had quite a big input into what’s been going on and I’ve felt very much in control of things. “I’ve a really clear vision of how I see us improving as a group long term. “It’s a really exciting time for me and this team, we’ve some guys willing to buy into that and who are realistic about where we are and where we can get to.” Root (leading his team’s celebrations, top right) has made plenty of big decisions throughout the series. But perhaps at the Ageas Bowl, in another nip and tuck Test where every run was so crucial, his captaincy skills came to the fore. And there was even evidence of him pulling Stuart Broad (left, top) and Anderson (left) into line when the two legendary bowlers are so used to getting their own way when it comes to setting their fields. “I’ve always felt I’ve been in charge,” added Root. “I know it might not always seem that way with those two guys in particular. “You’re always trying to work things out. “You’ve got two very experienced bowlers who know what they’re doing and at times you want to let them go and do that. “But there are times when you feel it’s your time to have a say in things.”