Root doesn’t mince words

Mount Maunganui – England captain Joe Root said rookie fast bowler Jofra Archer (above) had a lot to learn as the tourists slumped to an innings defeat by New Zealand yesterday.

A “brutally honest” Root also blasted England’s shot selection in a brittle batting display after his team, after winning the toss, lost by an innings and 65 runs to go 1-0 down in the two-Test series.

Archer, 24, starred in this year’s Ashes, where he took 22 wickets in his debut Test series. But he managed only one scalp at Mount Maunganui – that of BJ Watling for 205.

Root said Archer could take his cue from New Zealand’s Neil Wagner, who took 5/44 in England’s second innings and eight wickets in the match in total.

“He’s burst on to the international scene and he’s done wonderful things for England and he’ll do so many more wonderful things,” Root said of Archer.

“But this is very new to him. He’s got the Kookaburra ball which he’s not bowled with before and he’s never been to this part of the world and you have to perform in a certain way out here.

“He’s got all the attributes that can be very successful and he’s got to learn you’ve got to make sure every spell counts and you’ve got to run in and use that extra pace to your advantage.”

Archer also got a ticking-off for riding a Segway on the field after the toss on Thursday – risking possible injury. Root said Archer wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

“I can’t fault his effort. Putting in the amount he has done this innings shows that he cares and he wants to really put in for this team,” added Root.

“But I think there were certain spells where I think he can just unleash a little bit more and that will come with experience and time.”

England are hoping to sew the seeds for reclaiming the Ashes in Australia in 2021-2022, saying before the match that they were determined to “bat long”, with high expectations on Archer. – AFP