Root puts new spin on Sri Lanka test

JOE Root claims England are ready to banish the notion they are vulnerable against ‘mystery spin’ by taming Sri Lanka.

The Three Lions have long been seen as a soft touch for top spinners and weak on turning conditions in the sub-continent, a reputation fairly earned over the years.

But much has changed about their one-day side in the past three years and Root believes the ongoing tour, which began with a washout and continues with today’s second ODI in Dambulla, offers a chance to explode another myth.

To do so they will need to conquer Akila Dananjaya – who mixes up off-breaks, leg-spin and googlies – housing situation that we have at the moment, as well as all other aspects of running the club at the same time.

“As a team member, club member and great friend, the club thinks Mark would be well-deserving of this award.”

Newsome, meanwhile, has been captain and part of Kirkburton’s highly-successful second team in recent years.

His Riley Lane side have won the Fired Up Paddock Shield for the past two years, defeating Edgerton and Dalton first team and Broad Oak seconds in the finals.

Kirkburton also won the Johnson and the left-arm wrist spin of Lakshan Sandakan. Dinesh Chandimal talked up the pair’s unpredictability on the eve of the series, but Yorkshire’s Root is confident about the challenge ahead.

“Every bowler you’ve never faced before is a mystery, because you don’t know what you’re going to get,” he said. “But, as a batter, it’s very easy to build things up, to overanticipate how things will go.

“Most importantly you have to play what’s in front of you.

“You can get yourself out by talking yourself out.

“You prepare, watch the footage, see how they operate and go and play accordingly.

“As a team, our record against Cup as Drakes Premiership Two champions in 2009, 2011 and 2013.

A citation from the club said: “Not only is James a decorated captain of the second team but he also dedicates his time towards being club representative, in addition to being the club’s chairman and secretary.” spin is right up there, if not the best in the world over the last couple of years.

“This is another opportunity to show everyone how good we are against spin and to perform well on these surfaces.

“It’s important to understand the rhythm of batting here is very different.

“The way we structure setting a target or chasing one down might be very different to how we go about it at home.

“The way we approach cricket in ODIs is very different since the last time we toured here (in 2014).

“The way these guys naturally play will always put bowlers under pressure, whether that’s seam or spin.”