Root demands World Cup standard is maintained ahead of the Ashes
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Joe Root has demanded England set the tone for the looming Ashes series by riding the wave of their World Cup triumph into their match against Ireland.
Lord’s hosts the maiden Test between the rivals on these shores less than a fortnight after staging one of the sport’s greatest encounters in which New Zealand were dramatically toppled by Eoin Morgan’s men.
Root, who is England’s red ball captain, has told those players involved in the World Cup that there can be no drop in standards as they plot the downfall of Australia that would cap a remarkable summer.
“We’vetakenahugeamount of confidence from the World Cup and that counts for a lot. It’s something we must capitalise on going into a huge six Test matches,” Root said.
“The message to the squad is to play with a huge amount of pride and passion. The intensity of this week will set the tone for the rest of the summer.
“As long as we apply ourselves in the right manner and go into this game exactly like that then we’ll give a good account of ourselves. I do believe that.
“Of course it will be difficult and there are different challenges this summer to previous ones, but it’s a very exciting chance and there’s a huge carrot at the end of it for everyone involved.”
England will field two spinners for the four-day Test in Moeen Ali and Jack Leach, but Jimmy Anderson has been ruled out by a calf injury sustained on Lancashire duty at the start of the month.
England’s leading wicket taker is expected to be available when the Ashes begins at Edgbaston on 1 August.
“Jimmy would probably have been able to get through this Test match, but we’re making sure that he’s absolutely right,” Root said.
“The last thing we want is him carrying a niggle into a series. We’re trying to be sensible about it, giving him as much time as possible to be 100 per cent fit. We’re very confident he’ll be fit.”
Warwickshire pace bowler Olly Stone will make his Test debut, as will Jason Roy who will open the batting in the hope his devastating World Cup form can translate into the longer form of the game.
Root has revealed there will be no attempt made to curb the attacking instincts of the limited-overs specialist.
“We want Jason to go out and be himself, to express himself and trust his instincts as much as possible,” Root said.
“He’s got very good instincts, he reads the game very well and he brings something different to our Test batting line-up.
“He’s a very exciting prospect and a proved performer at international cricket. He’s capable of making big contributions at the top of the order.
“I hope he doesn’t try to play differently. Only in small pockets, but we’ve seen throughout the World Cup that he can soak up pressure and trust his defence.
“It might be that he has to do that for longer in Test cricket. But there are times when he can put pressure back on to the opposition and he’s one of the best in the world at doing that.”
Jofra Archer, another of England’s World Cup heroes, is due to return from his holiday in Barbados on Wednesday and it is hoped he will overcome a side strain in time to face Australia in Birmingham.
Archer and Roy were among the stars to light up the successful 50-over competition and the tournament’s managing director Steve Elworthy has called upon the ECB to capitalise on cricket’s moment in the spotlight.
“I want people to be talking about this tournament in 20 years’ time, but it’s up to the governing bodies to drive the opportunity that success brings. It’s the ECB’S role to drive this,” he said.