Root hopes pace barrage will secure hat-trick

Joe Root believes rounding off a series victory against South Africa with a third straight win would be his proudest moment as England captain.

Victories on the road are hard to come by in Test cricket and, after triumphing in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, Root’s side have the chance to make it a hat-trick in Johannesburg.

Root has managed that once before, in Sri Lanka in 2018, but would rank beating South Africa 3-1 on home turf as his finest hour given the number of injuries and illness that have hit the squad.

“I think it probably would be, yes, because of the different things we’ve had to manage throughout this tour,” said Root.

“It would be a very big achievement for this group. It’s been a tour that has thrown everything at us and I think collectively as a squad, not just the players but the coaching staff, have worked tirelessly to make sure we stayed calm and as much in control as we can.”

England are pondering the idea of unleashing Mark Wood and Jofra Archer together for the first time in Test cricket, providing both men emerge in good condition from their final net session.

Both men bowl in excess of 90mph and Root is tempted by the prospect of seeing them in tandem on a traditionally fast pitch.

“It would be a relentless barrage of pace which is exciting, especially on the surface you typically get here at the Wanderers.

“It would be great to have that extra bit of pace and firepower. It would be nice to see how that looks and see how they go together.”

Joe Root is aiming for a 3-1 series victory.