Root still has a big IT20 role to play insists Farbrace

TEST CAPTAIN Joe Root still has a big part to play in England’s Twenty20 team and can learn from limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan, according to acting head coach Paul Farbrace.

Yorkshire’s Root was dropped for the final Vitality IT20 against India in Bristol on Sunday, when the tourists secured a sevenwicket win to wrap up the series.

England will get the chance to redress the balance in the oneday internationals, which start at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Captain Morgan admitted omitting Root for the Twenty20 was “not an easy decision” as fit-again all-rounder Ben Stokes came back into the side.

For the 50-over series, Farbrace will revert to his role as assistant to Trevor Bayliss, who returns to the helm after some time taking in England Lions and county cricket.

And Farbrace believes Root will be determined to make an impact in Nottingham.

“Every player goes through a period where you either find it tough or you are left out the side or whatever. We all know that his response will be to work harder, try harder and score more runs – that’s the nature of him,” Farbrace said.

“I’m sure he was bitterly disappointed to be left out because he wants to play every game for England and he wants to show he’s a high-quality player in all forms of the game, so he will be disappointed.

“But we all know Joe very well – he’ll be spurred on by that and he will do all he can to make sure he is ready come Thursday.

“I still think, and I genuinely believe, that if England are to be successful in T20 cricket over the next couple of years leading into the World Cup, Joe Root will play a magnificent and big part in that.”