Root backs old pal Gary to score big
Skipper takes responsibility for recall but stands by county star
JOE ROOT has backed Gary Ballance to repay his faith by scoring big runs against South Africa despite his underwhelming return to the side during the first Test at Lord’s.
England’s captain, speaking ahead of the start of the second Test at Trent Bridge, admitted for the first time that the decision to recall his Yorkshire team-mate for his third crack at Test cricket was his call.
And despite Ballance making scores of just 20 and 34 at Lord’s, Root believes the 27-year-old will come good quickly.
“I thought the way he played in the second innings was probably worth at least double on that surface,” he said. “Those guys at the top made it look a lot easier than it was.
“He looked very good and comfortable in the first innings until his dismissal and put pressure back on the bowlers on occasions, and he will be desperate to make his opportunity count this week.”
Ballance saw off competition from the likes of Surrey’s Mark Stoneman and Essex’s Tom Westley to earn his recall for this series after averaging more than 100 for Yorkshire in the Championship this season.
Root says that was why he pushed the selectors for the Zimbabwean-born batsman’s recall, admitting: “I take a lot of
responsibility in the selection of the squad. There were a number of guys who were discussed but it was hard to look past the number of runs Gary has scored and the way he has scored them this season.
“He looks to me as if his game is in really good order and a big score is round the corner.
“Everyone’s philosophy on batting is slightly different.
“He just looks a lot more assured in himself and I honestly believe that he is not far away from making a really big score.”
Asked whether the decision to recall Ballance at number three came before or after he had made the call to drop himself down the order to four, Root said: “I do think that me batting at four is where I get the best out of myself so I thought it was important I made that decision first and foremost.
“Looking at Gary, all his success for England and his best scores have come batting at No.3. I think that is where we have had the best out of him in the past and there’s no reason why he can’t do that again in this series.”