OPEN-MINDED

Joe Root is determined his England team will not be spooked by the pink ball in this country’s first day-night Test match.

In just his second series as captain, Root must contend with the complication of an inaugural opening match under lights at Edgbaston as England seek to extend their sequence of home victories over West Indies to six – dating back to 2000.

In that time, the tourists have managed a solitary Test win – at this ground 17 years ago – and have lost 11 out of their last 13.

The advent of floodlights and pink ball loom as an odds leveller in some minds over the next five days, however, and it is therefore Root’s job to put that notion out of the equation.

At his pre-match press conference, he chose to do so by voicing respect for the opposition but insisting the best method of combating any variables posed by the pink Dukes under lights is to ditch the preconceptions and be ready to react best and first to the reality as it happens.

“We need to go into it with quite an open mind,” said Root, whose team were prescribed one extra practice session under lights in Birmingham on Monday following a mid-summer round of floodlit Specsaverscountychampionship matches as initial reconnaissance.

“I am expecting it to be tough, as Test cricket always is. Obviously there are different challenges, and it might throw up a

0 England captain Joe Root, left, and counterpart Jason Holder with the series trophy and a zebra, which features on the sponsor’s logo.

“Idothinkitis important not to look too far and have too many theories going into it, and that we react to what is thrown in front of us”

JOE ROOT different rhythm to the game. But I do think it is important not to look too far and have too many theories going into it, and that we react to what is thrown in front of us and