SIR VIV: ROOT’S A NATURAL LEADER
SIR VIV RICHARDS is not surprised Joe Root is starting to prove he can handle the fierce heat of the Test captaincy kitchen.
And the Windies legend insists it could all be down to Root’s “tough and gritty” Yorkshire heritage.
England’s whitewash in Sri Lanka has helped win over some of the critics who, after last winter’s Ashes thrashing and New Zealand embarrassment, questioned Root’s leadership qualities.
But the side has won eight of their last nine Tests including a
4-1 series win over India during the summer. Next up is a three-Test series in the
Caribbean, starting in Barbados on January 23.
Root (below) flies out with the squad in a fortnight and Richards feels he will enjoy leading England against his West Indies. He said: “Root is a Yorkshireman and he is from very good stock in terms of life and sport.
“I like his tenacious attitude to the game, whether he is captaining the team or batting out there.
“He is still a relative young man and may not look like a tough guy.
“When I was with Somerset I played under a Yorkshireman. That was the late, great Brian Close. He was one of the hardest men I have ever met, in any walk of life.
“There have also been the likes of Geoff Boycott and Sir Len Hutton. So they breed them especially tough, gritty and strong in Yorkshire.
“Root had a difficult start as captain in Australia but you learn on the job. He suddenly had it put on him when Cook gave it up and it takes time to stamp your style on things.
“I like Root as a batsman. He has a good technique and likes to play positively. He likes to take the game to the opposition and try and dominate.
“He doesn’t score as many centuries or big centuries as perhaps he should do. He gets very good starts but needs to convert more into three figures.”