Record run chase as Root sows seeds of optimism
JOE Root was happy to chalk up a record Champions Trophy run chase as just another step in England’s one-day improvement.
The Yorkshireman’s unbeaten 133 led England to 308 for two as they beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in their Group A opener at the Oval.
He was backed up by Alex Hales, with 95, and captain Eoin Morgan who contributed 75 to an unbroken third-wicket stand of 143.
Root said he never had any doubts England would chase their target, adding: “We’re a side that’s getting better at it.
“There’s a lot of confidence, we back each other’s ability, and that’s rubbing off on the team. It’s nice to know you’ve got players like Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler to come in behind you.
“It was just making sure we kept plenty of wickets in hand, and someone like Alex Hales is not going to score slowly if he bats for a long time.”
Morgan agreed: “When the guys bat like that, it’s a lot easier than used to be, having Joe Root in the side and an in-form Alex Hales.
“Joe’s the glue in our side, he’s scored a lot of runs in the last couple of years and it’s not slow, he’s scoring at pace and he’s worked hard at his power hitting.”
The win was tarnished only by injuries, with Chris Woakes bowling only two overs before leaving with a side injury and Root himself hobbling through much of his innings.
Morgan said: “Chris is probably the biggest concern, he’ll go for a scan tonight on his side.
“At the moment it doesn’t feel right, he went straight off the field and didn’t come back on.”
Root was hopeful his injury was nothing serious after he stumbled awkwardly away from a shot on the leg side.
He said: “The ankle’s okay, it’s more of a calf issue - hopefully it’s just some bad cramp.”
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza was frustrated after his side failed to convert Tamim Iqbal’s 128, backed by 79 from Mushfiqur Rahim, into an even more testing total than 305 for six.
“We thought 305, on this wicket, it’s maybe a little bit short,” he said.
“At the end, when we had six or seven wickets in hand, it could have been a lot better.
“Then in the middle (of England’s innings) we couldn’t get any wickets, Root batted really well and took the game away from us.”
England next play New Zealand in Cardiff on Tuesday, while Bangladesh face Australia on Monday at The Oval.