JUBILANT ROOT IS DREAMING OF WHITEWASH AGAINST INDIA
JOE ROOT admitted he was ‘dreaming’ of a 5-0 series win over India after England disposed of the tourists by an innings and 159 runs in the second Test at Lord’s. The skipper warned his team against complacency after four wickets apiece for Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad helped dismiss India for 130 in their second innings. That gave England victory in the equivalent of less than two days’ playing time. But Root knows he will never have a better chance to complete what would be only their second 5-0 whitewash of India — the first was way back in 1959 — against a team whose batsmen look utterly demoralised. ‘That would be the dream, to put in five complete performances and have five wins,’ he said. ‘But it’s important we don’t get complacent, arrogant or look too far ahead. ‘We’re playing against the No 1 side in the world, and they have some very talented players.’ Root was full of praise for the all-round performance of Chris Woakes, who scored an unbeaten 137 and took four wickets after replacing Ben Stokes. ‘Ben’s absence created an opportunity for Chris to come in and perform,’ he said. ‘He was outstanding, and it’s an example to the guys on the edge of this team. When you get the chance, make it as hard as possible to leave you out.’ Meanwhile, Root’s opposite number Virat Kohli insisted he would be fit to play in Saturday’s third Test at Trent Bridge, despite aggravating a lower-back niggle which made running difficult during India’s second innings. And he urged his batsmen to find a way of combating England’s swing and seam bowling after collapsing twice at Lord’s. ‘I don’t see any technical deficiencies,’ he said. ‘If a batsman is clear in his head and his plans, then if the ball does something off the pitch, you’re in the position to counter it. ‘You can’t come here and think the conditions are too difficult, because they are really not. ‘There is no hiding from the fact that mistakes have been made, but we should definitely be better than that.’