Skipper Root dreaming of golden future for his youthful team as they take 2-1 lead to show why they have world at their feet
DOM SIBLEY OPENING BAT AGE 24 County: Warwickshire Test debut: 2019 Matches: 5 Runs: 274 Highest score: 133* Average: 39.14 Series average: 59.00
OLLIE POPE MIDDLE ORDER BAT AGE 22
County: Surrey
Test debut: 2018 Matches: 6
Runs: 363 Highest score: 135* Average: 51.85 Series average: 199.00
SAM CURRAN ALL-ROUNDER AGE 21
County: Surrey
Test debut: 2018 Matches: 16
R: 676 HS: 78 Ave: 28.16 W: 36 BB 4-58 Ave: 30.83 Series bat – ave: 19.00 Series bowl – ave: 29.22
DOM BESS OFF-SPINNER AGE 22 County: Somerset Test debut: 2018 Matches: 4 Wkts:
Best bowling: 5-51 Average: 29.72 Series ave: 25.75
THE kids are all right. In fact, they are more than all right.
England secured a thumping third-Test win over South Africa with a direct run-out from 21-yearold Sam Curran to leave skipper Joe Root dreaming of a bright future.
The innings-and-53-run victory made sure the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy was retained, as England took a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, and it was secured on the back of outstanding performances from two players aged 22.
Ollie Pope picked up the man-of-the-match gong for a maiden Test hundred that has been expected from the moment he was first selected for England two years ago.
Dom Bess’ first five-wicket haul was a little less planned, since he was not originally picked for this tour and joined only as cover for the ill Jack Leach, but he made the most of his chance.
It is the blend of youth and experience – in the shape of Ben Stokes, who has been at the heart of the last two wins – that has Root excited about the future and his chances of taking England back to No1 in the world.
“That’s the journey we’re on,” said Root. “That’s what we’re planning to be, but it’s not going to happen overnight.There are going to be bumps in the road.
“We’re going to get it wrong on occasions, especially with a young group of players. But as long as the group is willing to learn and put it in time and time again, we will win games of cricket. That’s the sort of attitude you need consistently if you want to keep improving and want to get to No1 in the world.
“By no means are we the finished article. We’ve got a long way to go as a team but we’re heading in the right direction.”
How Pope, Bess, Curran and fellow bright young players Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley have got here is largely irrelevant as long as they continue to shine as they have in the last two matches.
We should not forget Jofra Archer either, who at 24 is still at the start of his career and who kept England in the fight at Centurion despite not playing any warm-up matches because of illness at the start of the tour.
It makes you wonder what the scoreline might have read had England had a fully-fit and
A direct hit from Sam Curran left Keshav Maharaj short of his ground as England completed a massive win to take a 2-1 lead in the series over South Africa well-prepared team for the first Test rather than one being taken down by Quinton de Kock and quarantine. Root is feeling energised by the youth in his side but, along with Stokes, the impact of Mark Wood consistently bowling the fastest he has in Test cricket was a huge boost. Stuart Broad played his part in wrapping up the first innings, while Root’s willingness to bowl himself paid off brilliantly on day four, even if he was brought back down to earth on day five when his final over went for a record-equalling 28. “We’ve had four guys under 25 making hundreds or taking five-fors on this tour and that’s a great place to be,” added Root.
“We’ve got a really clear way of how we’re trying to play the game and we’ve executed that brilliantly in the last two games.”