Root reposes faith in Cook, hopes 2014 win inspires him
SOUTHAMPTON: England skipper Joe Root expects his players to turn up after the Trent Bridge batting collapse triggered by India’s sharp pace attack.
The England No 3 batsman also backed Alastair Cook to come good after the senior batsman returned a string of poor scores in the first three Tests.
“It’s a big week, no doubt. We underperformed last week, that’s the bottom line. We’ve got a great opportunity to put that right this time around. One of our big strengths as a squad is our strength of character and, at home in particular, we’re very good at bouncing back from difficult weeks. We’ve done it time and time again before. I don’t expect anything less from the group this time as well.”
After scoring 180 for England Lions against India A ahead of the Tests, Cook has aggregated just 80 in five innings in the series so far.
Root hopes Cook will draw inspiration from the 2014 series against India where he made 95 and 70 not out in Southampton from where the hosts scripted a comeback to win the series.
“I remember sitting in the dressing room (in 2014) almost a little bit emotional for him. That was the feeling within the group, how much he means to the squad. We are fully aware of what he’s capable of doing.
“It’s been frustrating, but this is another opportunity to put it right. Having seen Jos score a Test century, and how much that means to him, hopefully that drives other guys on too,” Root said.
Root felt that James Anderson will again be the key. “One thing he gives me is great control. He is obviously a very great attacking threat when it is seaming and swinging but you always feel that it is going to create pressure for you.”