No excuses! But there’s no hangover

Root says Trophy exit tough to take but eyes winning summer

JOE ROOT has assured England fans there will be no hangover into the rest of the summer from the crushing disappointment of this week’s Champions Trophy exit.

Root cut a distraught figure after England blew their chance to close in on a first major 50-over title by falling victim to a shock semi-final defeat by Pakistan in Cardiff on Wednesday.

After next week’s three T20s against South Africa, a series Root has been rested for, England’s focus will turn to the four Tests against the Proteas, starting at Lord’s on July 6. That will be Root’s first game as Test captain following his appointment as Alastair Cook’s successor earlier this year. And the Yorkshireman is in no mood to enter the second half of the summer on a downer despite the frustration of this week’s Champions Trophy failure. “I wouldn’t say I’m shellshocked, just very disappointed,” said Root. “We’ve played some really good cricket throughout the whole of this summer and it was frustrating not being able to do it in this match. “It doesn’t feel great

> at the minute but there’s a lot of cricket still to play this summer and we’ve got to make sure we’re right for that.”

On assuming the Test captaincy, Root added: “It is exciting. Certainly over the next few weeks I’m going to get my head around that and all the challenges that’s going to bring, and more importantly, all the opportunities it’s also going to bring.

“There’s plenty to look forward to this summer and certainly still plenty to play for.”

Root also believes England will come back stronger from their Champions Trophy disappointment as they look ahead to the 2019 World Cup on home soil.

“It was a golden chance to win a tournament at home and I think all we can do now is keep looking towards that World Cup and use this as a really good platform,” he said.

“We know we’re not the finished article.We have made huge strides and we’ve got to continue to do that and work out ways to get on the right side of these scenarios when things aren’t favourable to us. So it’s a good learning curve.

“But more than anything we’ve got to keep that drive we’ve had over the last 18 months to keep getting better, so when that World Cup does come around we’re in the best shape possible to give ourselves the best chance of contending.”