JOE: WE’LL BE WIDE AWAKE
CRICKET: ENGLAND v W.INDIES Root relishes challenge
JOE ROOT says his England side won’t be losing any sleep over their first daynight pink ball Test at Edgbaston today.
England are heavy favourites to beat a weakened West Indies side in the three-match series.
And Root expects his players to take the new format in their stride, having hit form in the 3-1 series win against South Africa.
Play could go on until 10pm if there is bad weather or a slow overrate and there are fears some players could struggle to get enough rest.
Root says the challenges are there to be met, especially with an Ashes series this winter also featuring a day-nighter at the Adelaide Oval in December.
“This is one of the different challenges this format presents,” said Root. “It is important we recognise those challenges on the field as well as those around the cricket. We need to deal with them very well.
“It will obviously be slightly different in terms of when you go to sleep but you have to make sure you get yourself ready to be at your best.”
It will perfect preparation for England before the match in Adelaide and Root added: “It is important but every Test match we play is important ® and no one is treating this one any differently. No one is seeing it as an experimental thing, it is just really important we get off to a strong start.
“We will do everything on and off the field to make sure of that. I do think it is important not to look too far into it and keep an open mind.” West Indies captain Jason Holder believes his team can shrug off their underdog status by preying on England’s batting problems.
He is confident his bowlers, led by the fiery Kemar Roach, can expose England’s fragile top order.
Only Alastair Cook, skipper Joe Root and Ben Stokes are established in the top six, with debutant opener Mark Stoneman, No.3 Tom Westley and Dawid Malan, at five, all yet to prove themselves.
Holder said: “We’re obviously huge underdogs.
“England are a very good team but we can look at a number of areas you could probably target.
“I think for us, it’s mainly just about making it as uncomfortable as possible for their senior players and putting some pressure on the junior guys.
“The English come pretty hard and we expect to go back just as hard at them.” ENGLAND: Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root (capt), Malan, Stokes, Bairstow (wkt), Moeen, Roland-Jones, Broad, Anderson. WEST INDIES (probable): Brathwaite, Powell, K Hope, S Hope, Chase, Blackwood, Dowrich (wkt), Holder (capt), Roach, Joseph, Gabriel. Umpires: S Ravi (India), M Erasmus (South Africa). TV: Sky Sports Cricket, 2pm.